The Dabney
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*This review is for the Dabney Cellar We came here for a date night and ordered a cocktail, glass of wine and the small seafood platter. The cocktail was very good. The server we had was really amazing and went out of his way to make sure we were good, even bringing wine samples for us to try. The part that took away from the whole date, is the employee who was prepping the seafood platters and shucking the oysters was not displaying proper hygiene. We repeatedly noticed she was biting on her nails and putting her fingers all in her mouth. When you work in the restaurant industry and are preparing other people's food, there are much higher standards that you should have.
This was such a wonderful experience from start to finish. I went with a group of ladies for Restaurant week dinner, and it did not disappoint. To start, they had a nice wine pairing option, but you could just do individual glasses that they recommend as well. I like this since there was one drink. I really wasn't interested in having so I was able to just have the remaining two. We started with the optional sweet potato roll. This roll was melt in your mouth delicious. It was both crispy and hot and really hit the spot. I opted for the corn soup, and that was, if possible, better than the sweet potato roll. I wanted to bathe in the soup. It was so delicious. Every drop was eaten from my bowl, and looking around the table, everybody had eaten the last drop out of their bowl as well. It was just so delicious. I opted for the shrimp and grits with fish, and this was just mouthwatering delicious. The sauces were so on point it really paired so well with the actual fish, which was a very beautiful piece of fish. Regarding the service, our server Kelsey was phenomenal. We definitely changed our mind about some things, and she was very go with the flow. I also noticed little touches like when someone would go to the bathroom and leave their napkin on the table. She would come by and just fold it in a very cute abbreviated fold. She was very consistent and checked in on our tables frequently, often just walking by make sure that we are enjoying our food or glasses were full, etc. She was just fabulous. I do want to take a special note to talk about the dessert, the baked Virginia. I've never experienced a meringue that was on the softer side and it was so delicious. It paired so well with the peanut butter ice cream and addition to the marble pie below. Everybody was consumed, and I heard someone at the table say that they wish they could finish it, but they were just too full. Our experience here was amazing, the food really does live up to the hype, the service was just exceptionally phenomenal from everyone. I will definitely be a return visitor!
i liked the food here and i loved the service. we did the chef's tasting menu, with the spirit free pairing. my fave bites were the duck and melon. i did not love the spirit free menu, 2 of the drinks were really gross. the dessert did not impress me. i dont even know how to describe it, ice cream with a neon green sauce. i wont do a repeat visit to the restaurant, but im glad i finally got to check this place out once. ive been looking at their menu for a few years now.
I was really looking forward to trying The Dabney. My niece, a real foodie, had recommended it, so I was excited to finally give it a try. We started with a cocktail at Death & Co. next door, which deserves a review of its own for the ambiance, service, and seriously stiff drinks! We arrived a little early for our 8 PM reservation and were told to have a drink at the bar until our table was ready. It turned out to be a very leisurely drink--we waited almost half an hour. Once we were finally seated, though, things improved considerably. We had a delightful waiter named Robert who did a great job guiding us through the nightly menu. After the requisite deviled eggs, we tried the special potato roll with catfish, a terrific salad, and then moved on to the main course. That's where the trouble began. There were two "family-style" options, and we chose the Cape May fluke à la Grenobloise with croutons, brown butter, and lemon. It came with spring pea and herb farrotto (similar to risotto) and grilled asparagus. Unfortunately, the fish was extremely dry and almost completely lacking in flavor. When Robert came back to check on us, he noticed that we had barely touched it. We explained the problem, and to The Dabney's credit, they immediately took the $89 dish off the bill--which was absolutely the right thing to do. The disappointing fish aside, everything else we had was delicious, and the service was excellent. So despite the rocky start and an $89 entrée that missed the mark, it won't keep me from coming back. I'm still glad I finally got to try The Dabney.
The dabney was good but not the best Michelin I've had. We showed up early to our reservation so we opted for bar seating instead. We sat next to a regular who said we needed to get the fried catfish sandwich. This along with bread and butter, came our first and it was incredible. It's always on the menu so highly recommend. We got the lobster potato bite which was just okay and small - it tasted exactly what it sounds like. Next we got the cucumber salad as recommended by the bartender. Again this was good but nothing super special, I wish there was more roe. The star was the plate of vegetables - fresh and unique and super tasty. We got the sausage for our main which was also delicious, one of my bites did have an inedible small bone. The cornbread was disappointing. It just tasted burnt and the side without the butter was so dry and flavorless. The butter did a lot of the work.
My husband and I booked an 8:45pm reservation on a Friday and arrived right on time. The place was hopping and our table wasn't ready yet, so we got some drinks and waited by the bar. The hostess kept us updated, but it took a solid 25 minutes until we were seated. I'm 8 months pregnant and we drove from Baltimore - we were starving! The least they could've done was bring us some bread or the first course while we were at the bar, or comped us our first drinks or something. In fact, by the time we got our first course it was almost an hour after we arrived. We've never had such a late start at a Michelin restaurant, even in Europe! I told them ahead of time about being pregnant, but unfortunately I could only order 2 out of the 5 snacks (and both options I don't particularly like) so that was disappointing. The rest of the meal was good, but not a lot of wow moments. Some highlights - the catfish sliders (not on the tasting menu) and the family style steak with mashed potatoes and carrots. Some lows - I didn't think their butter was that great (it was very thick) and the scallop dish was engulfed in foam - why wouldn't you make the scallop and truffles the star and put the foam underneath?! Odd choice. Also the cornbread without the butter was not good - wayyy too savory and dry. We were pretty disappointed in the overall experience.. until dessert. Most Michelin restaurants try to make their desserts too fancy and they fall flat/forgettable, but we both ordered the baked Virginia and WOW. It was PERFECT. Homemade toasted meringue, peanut flavored ice cream with small toasted peanuts mixed in, over a gluten free chocolate cake. It was one of the best desserts we've both had! I'd go back just for that!! I liked the concept of everything coming from the Chesapeake area and being cooked by the big wood oven in front of us, but we weren't wowed. Plus, $145/person for 5 courses (and no amuse bouches or bites included) was expensive for what you get compared to other Michelin meals in DC.
KenScale: 8.25/10 Visit: May 2026 One of the consistently strong performers in the DC dining scene is The Dabney from chef Jeremiah Langhorne. My wife Jun and I have always had a satisfying meal at the restaurant that showcases Mid-Atlantic cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients, particularly on the vegetable side. In recent years, the restaurant has somewhat downsized its menu into a five-course format (at $145 per person) from a longer (and +$200) one, and even allows a la carte options, perhaps catering to the diners in the DC area who are looking for a good dinner option without shelling out. We visited the restaurant last month for the first time since the menu format change. One thing I noticed from the new menu for the spring season was how much more the vegetables were a focus of each dish. Was that change due to surging food costs in recent years or more of a seasonal factor with many vegetables available in the spring? In any event, we didn't mind knowing the restaurant's prowess with vegetables. The fireside farms fava beans was a fun snack where can extract each bean and dip onto either aioli sauce or lime salt. Blue fin tuna with sweet pepper and orange on top of crispy potato was also a very nice bite, as was the grits & grain sourdough tartine with whipped ricotta and brown butter honey. The kohlrabi salad worked well with yogurt and cucumber, gai lan (think Chinese broccoli) was expertly charred to give an alluring smoky flavor, and the signature hearth roasted vegetables with farro verde felt quite spot on for spring dining, too. For the main dish, instead of the fluke and half chicken on the menu, we were offered wagyu ribeye from Black Hawk Farms in Kentucky. Jun was really curious to try the steak so we opted for the 22 oz one. I didn't realize at that point but this ribeye might have been the most expensive steak we've had (I should've caught on the menu card next to the ribeye that it was $11 / oz meaning the piece that we chose was in the mid-$200 range!). The restaurant said they would deduct $40 from the tasting menu for the ribeye but the sticker shock at the end of the meal felt real. That said, the wagyu ribeye was one of the best steak dishes I've had at a restaurant in recent years, with more or less perfect texture of the beef that was melting in my mouth. We both wondered how much of the same ribeye would've been worth in the retail market. The sides of cauliflower and potato worked very well with the steak, too. We also did very well with the desserts. The buttermilk biscuit strawberry shortcake with strawberries felt appropriate for the spring, and the Baked Virginia with peanut ice cream and chocolate chess pie was a decadent dish that I hope that the restaurant continues to keep in its menu in the long run. Getting a reservation at The Dabney is perhaps not as challenging as other leading restaurants in DC, but the dining room got fully packed over time so I would still recommend booking in advance for prime-time seatings. The dining room has stayed more or less the same in terms of décor and ambiance since the restaurant moved to the current location, with a giant hearth featuring prominently at the center of the kitchen. Jun has always wondered if the dining space configuration could've changed a bit to give at least some diners closer access to the kitchen for more interactions with the staff. The wine and cocktail list at The Dabney has always been more than solid, although I felt that wine pairing options available for complementing the tasting menu were a little overpriced. At The Dabney, Jun and I know what to expect from the restaurant. As long as we are in DC, we will continue to visit the restaurant every once in a while for solid, well-executed cooking.
Had a stellar birthday dinner here (April prix fixe menu) with the best view of the open hearth. Service was 10/10 & we enjoyed every bite! Stand-outs for us were the fish dishes, pig ears, & the lamb. Each dish was perfectly balanced & the ingredients were extremely fresh & simple. My only complaint is the cornbread...it was extremely salty to the point where we couldn't even eat it. wonder if we may have gotten a 'bad' batch. Overall, was an amazing experience & we can't wait to come back.
My co-worker told me about The Dabney's current 145/person, 5-course prix-fixe menu, and I was immediately excited to visit for the first time. It didn't take much convincing to get one of my friends (whose favorite restaurant is The Dabney) to join me. Despite booking a month in advance, we only snagged the 8:15 slot for this past Friday evening. The restaurant felt warm and inviting right away. The cozy, cabin-like interior, festive holiday decor, and soft lighting set the mood perfectly. The open kitchen and live fire grill are a huge part of the experience, allowing us to watch everything happen in real-time. Even the bathroom stood out, thanks to an amazing lavender and eucalyptus candle. Each guest can choose one course from the SNACKS, STARTERS, and MID COURSE sections, plus one dish from FAMILY STYLE to share. DESSERT is one per person. To start, we enjoyed a toast with sorghum molasses butter. The butter was incredible -- lightly earthy and naturally sweet with oat and wheat notes. It had a caramelized fragrance reminiscent of a well-roasted coffee. The charred toast added a subtle smokiness to every bite. -- SNACKS -- DIVINE PINES OYSTERS Very fresh and refreshing. Finely diced pickled onions added sharpness and tang. A bit vinegar-forward for my taste, but clearly intentional and well executed. CRISPY ROSEDA FARMS BEEF CHEEKS Extremely crispy outside with a rich, creamy center. The horseradish-like mustard underneath added brightness and edge, balancing the richness perfectly. Without it, the dish would have been boring. -- STARTERS -- DABNEY GRITS & GRAIN SOURDOUGH TARTINE An elevated version of the perfect cafe toast. Great balance of flavors and textures: crunch from the toast, pickled onions, kohlrabi (reminded me of radish); freshness from mint; sweetness and depth from the nduja hot honey; and smooth ricotta to tie it all together. Familiar concept, but refined in a new and harmonious way. GRILLED FIRESIDE SWEET POTATOES A true tribute to sweet potatoes, with roasted, fried, and vinaigrette forms on the plate. Fire-roasted sweet potatoes delivered a smoky char, topped with hickory nut streusel that evoked candied nuts. Sweet potato chip was light and thoughtfully executed. Vinaigrette was naturally sweet and honeyed without tasting artificial. These elements together reminded me of an elevated sweet potato casserole. -- MID COURSE -- GRILLED CAPE MAY SCALLOP Perfectly cooked scallops (creamy and delicate) paired with an airy, foamy country gravy, unlike the thick and heavy texture you'd expect. Onion and parsnip flavors stood out, with just a hint of earthiness from truffle. PASTRAMI SPICED BEEF BELLY Looks familiar but delivers something entirely different. The first bite of beef belly delivered intense fire-driven warmth and heat, and it was incredibly crispy and rich. The mushroom had a powerful smoky bite that really wowed me. The potato puree was light and creamy -- more ordinary than the others, but essential to the whole plate. The rich, vibrant red sauce that looked like cranberry sauce was actually beet bordelaise. It was topped with everything bagel spice to add crunch, toastiness, and surprise. The pickled onions cut through the fat and balanced the dish. Truly an elevated take on beef and potatoes. -- MAIN COURSE -- ROSEDA FARMS SKIRT STEAK Perfectly grilled and easy to chew, finished with high-quality flaky sea salt that elevated the meat. Chimichurri brightened everything with its mixture of fresh herbs and olive oil. Not reinvented, but executed extremely well. The glazed fireside farms carrots were (possibly) blanched before grilled, coated in an orange-based sauce and topped with wisps of ginger for sharpness. The ginger balanced the carrots' natural sweetness beautifully. The potato puree was classic and well done. It was smooth and buttery -- not elevated, but very satisfying and how I'd imagine the perfect mashed potatoes to be. -- DESSERT -- APPLE CIDER FOOL Light and refreshing. Crisp apple flavors with warm spices, paired with crunchy meringue and shattering pear granita. A great palate cleanser and a fun dessert. Definitely one of my favorites throughout the night. BAKED VIRGINIA Well executed and peanut-forward, but too dense, too sweet, and overly indulgent -- almost intrusive at this point in the meal. I'm glad we ate the Apple Cider Fool first; otherwise, it would've been hard to enjoy its delicate flavors after a very decadent dessert. -- TEA -- FIRESIDE FIG - 6 Smooth, warming, and perfect with dessert. A cozy way to end the night. Overall, it was a phenomenal prix-fixe menu, and we left full and very happy. The Dabney takes the homey foods you know and love and reimagines them in a way that feels elevated and truly fine-dining worthy. The pacing was a bit slower than I expected, but I didn't mind since I was happy to yap with my friend between courses. We placed our order around 8:30 PM and didn't leave the restaurant until about 11:15 PM.
Andrew is an AMAZING server and with food like this... oh my gosh! Great time celebrating a retirement with a dear friend and my daughter! If you are celebrating something very important and can afford it- this is your place! Wagu steak is the best I've ever had!
Really amazing dining experience! The service was outstanding. The hosts were friendly. They sat us at the bar for a drink before our table was ready. The waiter was extremely attentive. All the chefs welcome you as you walk by their open-kitchen stations. The food was delicious. The pre fixe tasting menu is $145 per person and includes 5 courses. Our highlights were the smoked mahi mahi dip, the cabbage, the fried porgy and both desserts! The cabbage was so flavorful. They used the herbs very nicely to highlight the vegetables. Everything was super fresh. We were impressed! We had a lovely time and highly recommend the Dabney.
Fun chill vibe at this restaurant focused on mid Atlantic food. Service was friendly and helpful. Interesting cocktails and reasonably priced wines, although the list is not extensive. They used to be tasting menu only but have an Ala carte menu as well. Everything was tasty especially the pea dish. For a shared main the fluke which is kind of a humble fish was outstanding!
Overall I was really excited to visit the dabney! It's been on my list for awhile. While the food was creative and good I was a bit underwhelmed compared to the price. We did the tasting menu which included some seasonal small bites, a shared entree, and dessert. The small bites were our favorite of the night while the entree we got (porgy dish) lacked a bit of salt and acid to I bring everything together. We spent around $500 for two of us so my expectations were high. Next time I'd probably order a la crate from the bar as those dishes looked better and the price point was better.
It's safe to say I've experienced my top dining experience of the year already. The tasting menu at the Dabney was absolutely phenomenal. The service was extremely thoughtful - the team went above and beyond to ensure that our experience was memorable. The mid Atlantic cuisine is unlike anything else I've experienced. The chef is wildly intentional when creating the menu - many of the same ingredients are incorporated throughout the meal. The ambiance is serene & comforting - you won't mind that you've been in the Dabney for 3 hours - you won't want to leave! Do yourself a favor and trust the chef! Leave the postcard on your menu, sit back and relax - you're about to have the dining experience of a lifetime. read more
Friends and I visited Dabney and tried the tasting menu--you get to pick one item from each section, so we shared plates to try more dishes. The fish and lamb were superb. Service was top-notch; our servers were attentive and took the time to explain each dish. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with an open kitchen where you can watch the Chef and team hard at work preparing the food. read more
3 years ago
This was my favorite restaurant this visit to DC. Made reservations through Tock after reading reviews of chef Jeremiah Langhorne. I walked on over for my reservation given it was a beautiful evening, but I did have a little trouble finding the door since this is located on Blagden Alley (that's what I get for cutting through the alley from the backside). Upon entry, was immediately greeted and seated. Our table was cozy and felt private. Cocktail: Nomini Grove. McClintock Gardner's gin, Toigo orchards cherries, Yzaguirre rosé vermouth, egg white, lemon. Perfect start for the evening. The menu: Snack: Metompkin Bay Oyster-Toigo orchard Persian cucumber 1st Course: Autumn Olive Farm Boudin Pork Sausage-potato salad, dill, B&B pickles 2nd Course: Grilled Autumn Olive Farm Pork-Radicchio, bacon, st. Malachi reserve, peach. Delicious! Spring Vegetables: Grill corn on the cob w/Lobster butter, Garners Shishitos, Cucumber salad Dessert: Charred Corncob Icebox Cake-blueberry sauce, Hanson mills cornbread crumble, pecan, marigold. Delicious! No wonder The Washingtonian rates this their #1 pick. This was polished mid-Atlantic food with a hint of classic tastes of the south. And I loved it. Finally, service was top notch. Very attentive. read more
Would've gotten a 4 star review for the great food, but we were extremely disappointed in the slow service. We came here for our anniversary dinner and what we expected to be a 2.5-3 hr meal was almost 4 hours long. I've never been had such slow pacing and in the end, I had to ask the server that we needed to hurry home and they rushed to get us our check. I did enjoy the food--their bite-sized appetizers were great and I loved the paw paw cheesecake at the end. However, our experience became soured due to the long service. read more
2 years ago
If you're looking for a restaurant that combines the best of local, seasonal ingredients with expertly crafted drinks and a warm, inviting atmosphere, the Dabneyis a must-visit. From the moment you walk through the door, it's clear that this isn't just another dining experience--it's a celebration of fresh, sustainable ingredients sourced directly from local farms, paired with creative cocktails that elevate the entire meal. We sat at the bar and was wow'ed by each protein. The lamb was great and the surf/turf combo on the specials was also to die for. More than anything, the drinks were innovative -- who thinks to put perilla leaves on a drink?! All in all, Dabney continues to be the definition of a mid-Atlantic one star Michelin star restaurant. read more
I waited WAY TOO LONG to post my review of this place. It's been several years, but I still have the photos to prove it. I just have little recollection of what the dishes were called, and since the chef rotates the menu regularly, it's doubtful many of these items are still here. (See pictures below) What I do remember was that the entire experience left me feeling like it was all a dream. The food was fresh and I tasted flavors that were unique and unexpected. The jam/chutney with the crusty bread was outstanding. The service was kind and attentive. Desiree made recommendations and since I was on a business trip, I was able to splurge a little more than I would have on my own. The ambience was cozy and comfortable, and all the movement in the kitchen made it feel like a show. I would highly recommend. read more
8 months ago
The Dabney did restaurant week! Even more important, The Dabney is back to an à la carte menu! I have had amazing experiences at this Michelin starred celebration restaurant many times, but lost interest when they switched to a set menu that frankly didn't suit my tastes. BUT THEY'RE BACK. Let's be clear, even with a restaurant week menu for two our bill was over $250. That's because you can't go there and not at least have the catfish sliders and the cornbread. Still AMAZING bites. The restaurant menu highlighted the à la carte menu. Cauliflower soup with lobster, trout, beef, and an absolutely amazing chocolate chess pie that was elevated to baked Alaska status with peanut butter ice cream and merengue. There are three restaurants that are perfection on my book - Rasika, Obelisk, and The Dabney. I can't wait to go back to The Dabney for the full menu. Oh...it's a gorgeous restaurant too. read more
3 years ago
Pros: No matter what anyone says, Michelin Stars are well-earned. The food was bonkers delicious. The dining room was huge and open and warm and inviting and the kitchen was also wide open so we got to see them make every single course like a well oiled machine. Service was impeccable. Many different people for many different functions throughout our meal. One of the major themes that ran through the meal was quality, local sourcing and using those same ingredients in multiple different ways. That soft shell crab was one of the best things I have ever eaten. Cons: Literally not a single one. There was a even a nice covered patio for us to wait for our Lyft out of the pouring rain. Tips: These are small bite courses, so really take your time with them, chew slowly, talk, drink, and converse in between bite. It really was a lovely time. read more
2 years ago
The Dabney has such a warm and inviting ambiance. The open floor concept with full view of the kitchen and the huge fire in the back gives it a family dining room type feel. They serve Mid Atlantic cuisine and they offer a full 8 course tasting menu and a bar bites menu as well. The staff is extremely friendly and the service is was really good. Great place for a nice date or birthday dinner. read more
2 years ago
It was ok. I've dined at numerous other Michelin star restaurants and I think I was just expecting a bit more. I could have just been extremely high read more
2 years ago
This is for the Dabney Cellar! My friend and I have missed the cellar so much - so happy it's back. We had an incredible waiter, Victor, who served us the best martinis. The oysters were fresh and delicious, the cheese and meat board was to die for, and the cheesy leek dip was next level! All of this over a cozy backdrop made for the perfect Friday evening in November! read more
Great find! Bartender was very attentive, explained the menu and sold me on the sweet potato roll. Enjoyed a NA wine and the roll, both of which were yummy. Side note, The bathroom was really cute -- also had lotion and used real towels to dry off, which I appreciate from sustainability and functionality. Staff were all very kind and attentive. read more
What a treat for both the senses and the palette. Perfectly timed and choreographed service matched with creative and delicious bites, all thoughtfully presented. Standout dishes were scallop, mushroom, and tilefish (loved the ramps, sunchokes and dollop of tart lemon custard). The meal ended with 'ice cream cake.' Sounds plain but wow, this packed a lot of layered textures and flavors. (P.S. the reviews of the bathrooms are no joke. Not only was the scent amazing, the toilet paper roll was folded and no trash or used towels in sight.) read more
1 year ago
Dabney Cellar was the cutest, intimate spot! There are only a few tables and a small bar which makes the space feel cozy. You can watch them put together the cheese and meat plates as they cut fresh cheese and slice meat behind the bar. Food and drinks were delicious! A little pricey but worth the vibes. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
This was possibly the best meal I have had in DC so far. We walked in and they happened to have a table that had just cancelled and seated us immediately. The service was great, everyone was very attentive and answered questions about the things they grow and how they cook it. It's an open kitchen so you can see the chefs and the fire they cook over which was really cool. They even said it was fine to go up and ask the chef some questions after the meal. The food was so so good we started with the lamb rillettes which were amazingggg. The other highlights for me were the fried sugar toads and the pork belly but everything was absolutely delicious, you really can't choose wrong. They even gave us an extra dessert on the house! Definitely would go back!! 100/10 read more
We had the 3-course dinner menu. The food was ok-- All the dishes were grilled American-Asian fusion dishes that were pretty interesting but kinda salty. The vibes were nice though (good for date night) and the staff were friendly! read more
1 year ago
Haven't reviewed dabney in a while - it's consistent, I'm never blown away by the meal here but it's good and I like the ambiance and open kitchen. Service can be hit or miss. They're revamping the menu/space soon, so will need to come back in to see what they've done (moving more toward a tasting menu vs prix fixe and raising price). Catfish sliders and usually desserts are my favorites. read more
Love the place! Can be confusing to get to for some uber or lyft drivers because it's kind of in an alley but a really cute place and love the ambiance. The Charred eggplant and cornmeal cracker were really good but I also liked the oysters. The zucchini fritters were good but I think a sauce would have been welcomed. I ordered the Maryland Blue Crab soup which was packed with flavor and had plenty of crab. I did try a little of the Scallop and it was just like butter and so beautifully done. For my main, I ordered the Duck and got to try the Rockfish and beef. All of them were just fantastic. We did also order some cornbread for the table and it was good but definitely think it could have used some butter on the side. The sticky toffee pudding is a must have but the Fromage Blanc was a great light ending to dinner. Great experience! read more
4 years ago
What can be said about the Dabney that doesn't include the word...perfection? My big sisters and I dined here for my 30th birthday. This is my decade of luxury leisure and the Dabney was a great start to this theme. Located on Blagden Alley, the Dabney has a discreet location. The restaurant is clearly labeled and once you enter, it immediately feels like an exclusive dining club. When I walked in, I could tell that Washington's elite and The Who's who in politics definitely dined here. The chef's area has a beautiful layout and nice lighting. One of the presenters of our meals, offered to take a few photos of me and introduce me to the chef for the evening. We came in on the night they were serving a 6 course menu. The food and the presentation was immaculate. The servers and presenters of the food were not just knowledgeable about how the food was cooked, grown, and transported but they were so spirited. You could tell that they loved giving guests the entire fine dining experience. Each course was delicious. This was my first time having duck and it did not disappoint. The main course layout reminded me of Ethiopian inspired dishes. I will be returning to the Dabney! They have set the bar high for my fine dining experiences. read more
2 years ago
Came here for a double date and loved every course! We sat outside, but it's enclosed so you're protected from the elements and very comfortable. They start you off with some little snacks which were all so good! My favorites were the oysters and tuna. I like the fresh taste of them to start the meal. I then got the scallop crudo and that was so good!! My husband got the pig ears, which I gotta say was pretty good, don't knock it till you try it! Both of us got the lamb. Delicious, but the portion was really small. Mind you, they were very slow between each course. So you're waiting a lot time and finally when you get your meal, it's tiny! Probably my biggest complaint. Anyways, for dessert I got the grilled cornmeal cake and it was really goood! Tasted like a fancy pancake Overall, really good meal! They need to figure out the wait between each course because it was too long. read more
1 year ago
the cellar below is the cooooolest bar ever and the food and drinks are awesome. great fun music too. shoutout to sergei our favorite person ever and everyone definitely needs to hit up this little cellar at least once in their life. read more
1 year ago
The thought and effort that goes into the menu, service, and customer experience is unmatched. There is no need to make any difficult menu decisions here as you are assigned a tasting menu and you can specify any allergy accommodations (which they are very attentive to and mindful of). This place is most simply put...an experience. Before you even make it to your seat, the host takes your coat and introduces you to the chef who personally thanks you for coming out and offers a warm mushroom broth (it was amazing). You have a "main" waiter but this is a full team operation. Each course is described to you by someone new it seemed. Visually, everything was stunning; i can't imagine how difficult it must be to create these presentations. On the taste side, it was a carousel of extremes. The venison was the best bite of my life and the oyster rivaled the worst. I genuinely think I may have got a bad one. Nevertheless, the meal went on. I have to say, they really nailed the dessert items here and I wasn't expecting that. The sorbet and toffee pudding was amazing. Just when you think the meal was over they brought out assorted pastries and sweets. This place really does little courtesies like that nicely. After you pay, they even give you a surprise for breakfast the next day. These are the things that truly make the experience fun and worth while. **If the tasting menu isn't your speed, you can opt for the bar and choose from a list of dishes** With all this said, it was the biggest bill of my life. To be honest I'm in a bit of in a pickle for finances after eating here. I think if someone else paid I'd give it 5 stars. I'm not a restaurant owner or chef so I can't comprehend the cost of keeping a place like this in motion. It was a great experience but when I sit here days later and remember what it felt like to see that total price....i don't know. read more
I don't come to DC often but I make a point of eating here when I'm in town. The food here is out of this world good. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff is very professional. They know their food is great so they don't have to convince you. I don't have words to describe ow much I love this place. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
I finally made it back to the dabney for the first time since Covid and things seem to have changed a bit.... Don't get me wrong, the food and is delicious and if possible the staff has gotten even better, but woof have the prices changed! They are now doing a $95pp prefixed menu that gets you 3 little tasters to start, a small plate, meat course and dessert. While it was all delicious, I just don't feel like it was worth what we paid... $70 even $80? Maybe. I also noticed in my last review there were a ton of decently priced wines (which is always awesome to find). Unfortunately this time around the least expensive bottle of red was $65. In fact, of their list of maybe 20-25 red wines, only 5 we're under $100 per bottle. Maybe this is just the cost of becoming popular but I'm not going to lie I was a little disappointed. The Dabney was this great DC gem and now I feel like we'll look at other options before returning. Fingers crossed the prefixed menu isn't here to stay. read more
2 years ago
Everything was delicious and the atmosphere is nice as well- cozy and intimate. The staff were all very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. My favorites from the menu that night were the grilled mushrooms, duck confit, and plum pudding. The first bite of the plum pudding BLEW me away! So rich and moist, sweet but not overly so *chefs kiss* I believe the menu options change every day, but it seems that a few of the staple pieces seem to stay in the rotation. The only thing I didn't like was that it took a veeeery long time for each course to come out. The entire dining experience for 4 courses took 2.5-3 hours. Although I'm not the most well versed in coursed meals so maybe that's normal! read more
An instant favorite!! I did the smaller set menu, and it was a huge portion, which was great because everything was beyond delicious. I sat at the bar and got to chat a lot with the bartender which was fun and interesting and resulted in great recommendations! The main room of the restaurant was gorgeous with brick walls and a big oven, where you could see many of the dishes being prepared. The whole experience was top notch, from the food to the ambience to the presentation to the outstanding service and staff. I'm waiting for another occasion, so I can come back!! read more
10/6/22 Not a place you would visit often, but definitely worth checking out. If you're into fine dining and an experience, then Dabney is the place for you. We had a reservation for our party of two. Located in a cute little alley, near a few other restaurants. They staff are very attentive and know every dish they bring to the table. It actually looks over staffed, but I'm guessing that what it takes to deliver the full experience. From the "snacks" section we had the Apple Stack Cake, Oysters and Cream (Divine Pine Oysters, Madeira, Horseradish), A Dabney Classic (Sweet Potato Chesapeake Catfish) and Kilt Greens (Bitter Greens, Preserved Ramp, Smoked Bacon). All beautifully presented on the same plate. I especially loved the Kilt Greens. The Main included Aged Rohan Duck, which was the best dish. Delicious and beautifully presented. The whole experience is about a bit of everything on to your plate to go along with the super juicy duck meat. Other courses include Maryland Blue Crab (Caviar, Herbs Crimson Apple, chives), Garners Jimmy Red Grits (Ember roasted broccoli, carmen peppers, dandelion jam, fat cat cheese), and Autumn Olive Farm Pork Loin (scallop, watermelon molasses). My favorite from these was the pork loin with scallops. Dessert was Fireside Farms Carmen Peppers (Vanilla Ice Cream, Toasted Meringue, Shiso). I was not a fan of the peppers on the dessert. It took away from what could have been amazing. May a bit more ice cream would have fixed that for me. Dining here is an experience. If you're planning to show up super hungry and expecting to pig out, this may not be the place for that. The experience is slow and delicate. The servers always came in pairs, with one setting the plate down and the other explaining to us what dish they just set down in front of us. Worth checking out if you're looking for a fancy dinner. read more
2 years ago
This is the definition of a special occasion restaurant. The service, food, and atmosphere were all top notch without feeling stuffy/pretentious. They seamlessly accommodated my husband's dietary needs despite the set menu having a ton of pork and shellfish on it. None of the substitutions felt like easy outs to us. It didn't seem like a lot of food because of the small portions but we both left feeling full. A night to remember! read more
2 years ago
I really liked coming here for a nice evening dinner with my boyfriend and close friends. The setting was intimate and classy. I also thought the food was excellent. They have a good selection of non alcoholic drinks! read more
More info about The Dabney
122 Blagden Aly NW
Washington, DC 20001
Shaw, Downtown
Directions
(202) 240-2660
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thedabney.com/
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Ask the Community - The Dabney
Is there currently (September 2026) any service/living-wage charge that is automatically added to the bill? I am considering visiting for a dinner in a party of 6.
Is this a safe option for someone with soy, tree nut, gluten, and peanut allergies? To be clear, true food allergies-epi pen and all. Just trying to locate safe restaurants.?
How cold does it get on the patio during the winter? I've dined outdoors at some restaurants, and even with space heaters, the food can get cold, which limits the experience. Is that the case?
The outdoor area is enclosed. I don't sit outside if it's cold, but here you would be comfortable and enjoy your meal!
If we reserve the outside patio and it rains, will we get wet?
Nope !! If it's still how it was in February, we went for v-bday and it was an enclosed patio that had an overhang. So even if it snowed or showered we would have been fine. Enjoy !!
Where to park?
There is a small dinky parking lot next to the restaurant. It looks a little sketch (fenced, gravel, broken glass sometimes) but there's typically plenty of street parking around the neighborhood as well.
Do you take walk-ins?
There is a small bar area where walk-ins can eat on a first come, first serve basis. It can be hit or miss. I recommend making a reservation well in advance. Reservations can get booked up pretty quickly.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
35 reviews that are not currently recommended
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The Dabney - newamerican - Updated October 2026
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