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    The Occidental

    4.3 (105 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    The Occidental Photos

    Business Info

    THE OCCIDENTAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - The Occidental

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    Reviews With Photos

    Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
    Maggie A.

    Classic DC steakhouse, exactly what I was looking for. We made a reservation for Sunday night at 6pm, and the main dining room two floors up was almost full, along with a lively bar on the floor just below, so reservations are a must, and well in advance. I was all ready to order, having excitedly studied the menu ahead of time: the signature 50/50 martini to start, the crab cake appetizer - not just any crab cake, this had huge pieces of crab and a more subtle Maryland Old Bay taste - and the massive, succulent prime rib, which came with au jus, horseradish cream, and fresh horseradish shaved on top. For dessert, the pink champagne cake was soft and irresistible - frankly, it was difficult to say no to any of the desserts on the list (I'm coming back for that Baked Alaska)! Service was very good - not intrusive, not neglectful. No doubt, this was a $$$$ pricey meal, but it was well worth it. I needed a celebratory treat, and The Occidental delivered.

    DeMario M.

    The Occidental is a great date-night option in downtown DC. The food is fire, but honestly, the customer service is what wins me over every time. Let's start with the ribeye-- melt-in-your-mouth like butter. Our steaks initially came out overcooked, but the manager immediately came over, corrected the order without hesitation, and sent out a complimentary glass of Chappellet Cabernet Sauvignon, which was excellent and elevated the entire meal. That's how you handle service recovery. Highly recommend adding the creamed spinach and loaded potato. Parking is terrible (DC doing DC things), though there are garages nearby (street parking is a lucky find). It's also walking distance to the monuments and the White House (if you are so inclined to visit that place these days). The outdoor patio at night is a vibe. Make a reservation -- we only got in because someone canceled their resy.

    Sarah H.

    Cannot get over this absolutely stunning restaurant and dining experience! The moment you step inside you feel transported to another age, with jazz music and dim lighting, velvet seats, and waiters clad in white tuxedos. The service is absolutely charming, from the caviar amuse-bouche to the complimentary fries our server gave us "because you can't do surf and turf without good fries", to the champagne cupcakes for a sweet treat. The food was excellent and the martini... probably one of the best I've had. Nothing beats a perfect martini. Absolute perfection from start to finish.

    Victoria B.

    The food is good, but the service is bad. I've been here twice and I had a bad experience both times. Both times, I sat on the patio, which is very nice, and the service was very slow. It took a long time for someone to come to my table with water. It took a long time for someone to bring me a menu. It took a long time to take my order. It took an extremely long time to bring out my drink (I'm talking 30 minutes). My server would disappear for long periods of time. This happened on both occasions. The last visit was the icing on the cake, however. A friend or relative of one of the managers was seated behind me shortly after I arrived, and the manager proceeded to stop by their table every few minutes and bumped into my chair, elbow, and head (yes, he hit me in the head) EVERY SINGLE TIME. No lie, he did this at least 10 times before I finally asked to move. And to make matters worse, he never apologized. Not even once. Instead, he acted like he was annoyed that I was sitting in his way. Then, other staff members came over to greet the table behind me and they proceeded to keep bumping into me too. When I finally asked the server if I could move because I kept getting bumped and was unable to enjoy myself, the manager came over and just stared at me as he was talking to the server, but he still did not say a word to me. At this point, I was annoyed, so I hurried up to finish my food (the breakfast sandwich, which was actually very good and filling) and ordered a slice of coconut cake to go. The cake was good. I also ordered a non-alcoholic Aperol Spritz and a Daiquiri, which were both very good. For such an upscale ambiance and high price tag, I would expect much better service and at least an acknowledgement for continuously bumping into me. Guest comfort doesn't seem to be a priority.

    Yaz R.

    Wowowow! This place is incredible! Absolutely packed on a Saturday, huge inside and so beautiful. Service was the only downfall, it was soooo slow we were waiting to order forever. The food was AMAZING. Everything was perfect! I loved the tuna tartare app, dare I say the best I've had. My filet was cooked perfectly and the mashed potatoes were indulgent, creamy and perfectly whipped. I loved the au poivre sauce with the steak! So flavorful! The biscuits were flaky, buttery and were made fresh that very day. We finished with a decadent cup of chocolate mousse - more dense than I expected but totally delicious. I can't wait to come back and try more!

    Avocado Toast, Occidental Breakfast Plate, Breakfast Sandwich
    Leslie S.

    Any Tim my family comes in town we always come here. The food is amazing, but the ambiance is truly unmatched in the city. The service is out of this world. It is steps from the White House, has so much rich history on its walls, and has the perfect view of Capitol Hill. 10/10 for sure!!

    heaven
    Jack D.

    It's 9 pm and you and your scene after meetings in the West Wing or Ebbitt's want to ensconce in a historical niche by the White House? And get baked Alaska and coconut cake and maybe a little jar of melted chocolate for your ice cream with an apple brandy? They close at 10 pm upstairs at the bar here or might go on into the later hours depending on the jazz crowd and cocktails. Beautiful old school service...

    Maria-Elena T.

    Five of us came here for dinner after an event on a week night. A perfect five star evening! Our server, Carolin, was so efficient and professional. I started with the Caesar salad which was delicious. My friend had the crab stuffed avocado. I tasted it. OMG. Getting that next time!! I got the ribeye for my main. Sides included the Mac and cheese, potato and asparagus. Mac and cheese was delicious. Steak cooked exactly as ordered and huge! One friend got the beef stroganoff and she said it was the best she ever had. Desserts were also big and satisfying. Can't wait to return

    Bacon
    Cynthia J.

    Wow! This place is extremely discriminatory. I have visited on several occasions but today, I decided to sit at the bar. I asked for my tab and was given a bill but later the charged was changed. The bartender said, My Manager told me to changed it. I also heard the same bartender giving 2 white females to the right the of us free items. He later apologized, but said it was because of their Manager. I will never return here.

    Kansas strip steak
    Heather E.

    My wife and I came here for our last night in DC date night. We LOVED it. The restaurant is gorgeous and elegant. We got an excellent bottle of white wine, shared the lobster bisque, Caesar salad and Kansas strip steak. My favorite was the lobster bisque but everything was delicious. We shared the banana foster that our waitress made in front of us and shared history about how banana foster came to be. I'd highly recommend dining here. I can't wait for the next trip to dc to come back.

    Biscuits
    Mary C.

    We came here for our anniversary and this is an incredible spot. Buttermilk biscuits are the best I've ever had and were so flakey. The wedge salad and pigs in a blanket were so yummy. The highlight was the NY strip. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly seared and perfectly cooked. We love our steakhouses and tried many of the famous one in Chicago but wow this is better and the best. I had the twin lobster tails and wow sweet and delicious. The hash brown was massive! We ended up taking it to go. The ambiance was luxurious and the service was impeccable. Our server gave us complimentary champagne and mini pink champagne cupcakes for dessert. That was so kind. Overall this is a must eat restaurant in DC.

    Emily P.

    Hands down this place has been revived to its former political hotspot glory. Food is decent, but you really go here for the vibes and to see and be seen! Drinks are expensive but the interiors are amazing. While it's normally packed and I would recommend a reservation, there's generally enough space for you to walk in and sit down at the bar or a small table. For food, I love the crab Louie salad!

    Shane S.

    The place is worth visiting just to see the absolutely stunning architecture of the building. They do a great job highlighting the historic atmosphere. Certainly a special occasion or date night destination, but also a cool bar pull-up for a quick bite and drink.

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    12 days ago

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    2 months ago

    The bar was great. Service was friendly and fast. The food was good and appropriately priced.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - The Occidental

    Where can we park when we go to the Occidental for dinner? Thanks!

    Jw Marriott hotel has parking. Across the street.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Bar Betsie - Back area

    Bar Betsie

    (66 reviews)

    A trendy, NYC like vibe this spot was a lot smaller than I expected so I see why they often have a…read morewait. On a nice day, they do have a small outdoor patio as well. I think they take reservations but we were able to grab a bar spot. Are drinks pricey? What do you think? It's a cocktail bar in DC. The drinks we tried were pretty tasty, even the mezcal one which I thought was a refreshing take. The wall shows some of the drinks on the menu and the ingredients/glass it comes in which I thought was a nice touch. Bartenders were friendly but not too chatty as they were super busy but you never waited long for a drink. The bourbon drink with the whipped honey was our favorite but the gin drink that was pink was also fantastic. For food I did try the buffalo chicken dip, pretty large and tasty (not too spicy) and loved the super crisp celery and the fritos. Clean, trendy bathrooms, nice vibes throughout the whole spot for pictures, great for a night cap or pre-dinner drink.

    What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

    The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

    The Alchemist DC

    (117 reviews)

    U Street Corridor

    Just stepped into The Alchemist DC -- crowned Best Bar in DC in both 2024 & 2025 -- and now I see…read moreexactly why it holds the title. The space feels part-speakeasy, part-laboratory, where every cocktail is crafted with intention, story, and a little bit of magic. Their mixology roots run deep, drawing on technique + creativity to deliver flavors that feel familiar yet completely new. Here's what I tried (and loved): Lavender Killer Sally -- light + floral with a hint of citrus, beautifully balanced and so easy to sip Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned -- warm + cozy, with notes of brown sugar + ripe banana; it tastes like a dessert you can drink Shared Secrets -- a gin-based peach sangria poured straight from a French press, releasing more fruit + aromatics right at the table -- interactive and delicious Latte Martini -- smooth, creamy, and bold with espresso; a perfect pick for coffee-cocktail lovers Butterscotch Russo -- sweet + silky with rich butterscotch notes; comforting without being too heavy If you're hunting for a cocktail bar that's equal parts craft + creativity, The Alchemist NEEDS to be on your list. 1334 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Save this post for your next night out + follow @daithefoodie for more food + drink gems across the DMV! #dmv #datenightdc #dcdatenight #speakeasybar #speakeasydc #dccocktailbars #dcbars #dcbarscene

    We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    (112 reviews)

    $$$

    Shaw, Downtown

    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

    Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

    The Occidental - seafood - Updated May 2026

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