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The Occidental

4.3 (110 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 2:30 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

The Occidental Photos

Business Info

THE OCCIDENTAL ATMOSPHERE

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

Recommended Reviews - The Occidental

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Reviews With Photos

Rickhouse Old Fashioned Drink
Trish M.

I would travel across the globe to savor this meal once more, as it offered exceptional service and a culinary experience unparalleled in my dining history, warranting a 5+ star rating. #CulinaryCompass #forkandglobe #tastytourist #washingtonDC The Rockwell's

Coconut cake
Dona P.

Back for the fifth or sixth visit - second mother's day in a row... had a slightly surly hostess who struggled with eye contact and was rather dismissive of us, and my mother mentioned it to the waiter... Guillermo was incredible and ON IT despite being on his second shift. He just was exceptional with his attention and disposition. The ny strip was fabulous, yet he Chinese chicken salad a treat, the biscuits apparently the best in the dmv, and my dirty martini perfection. The coconut cake is light as air and just needs a tad less sugar. The old world ambiance with white table clothes and super smartly dressed staff plus an impeccable interior design scheme keeps us coming back.

Patio views
Aurore A.

Whether you choose to sit at the bar, a table inside, or the patio the Occidental delivers 5-star service every time... but I do recommend the patio. Everything I've tried has been delicious and they have some standout sides! Don't skip the biscuits, mac and cheese, and green beans. I'm not a big fan of the princess cake, but I do like the cupcake variation. They have great cocktails and an excellent wine selection.

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.

Prime rib mac n chz and asparagus

Prime rib was fire. Asparagus so good. Seevice was great!! Great wine, martini was soo good.

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

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7 months ago

Indexable service and wonderful ambiance. Great sitting outside on the terrace on a sunny day. How America used to be!

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5 months ago

The service was excellent. The ambiance was luxurious. The food was delicious. This place is a must! I will be back!

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9 months ago

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10 months ago

Great service! We had a larger group and went for brunch. Menu has something for everyone, including picky little ones.

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1 year ago

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5 months ago

We came for a holiday brunch. The eggs Benedict were cold. Our service was scattered and slow. The rooms were nice though.

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

Top shelf... speak easy vibe... great ambience and character. Service was excellent. Food and drinks were fabulous. Highly recommend!

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2 months ago

Business owner information

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Manager S.

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6 months ago

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7 months ago

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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8 months ago

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8 months ago

Accuracy of orders, customer service, response to incorrect delivery and order mistakes.

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8 months ago

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10 months ago

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

We had very wonderful service, enjoyed great food and love the clubby atmosphere inside the Occidental!

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Page 3 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!

Chadol Korean BBQ

Chadol Korean BBQ

4.5(134 reviews)
1.6 miNoMa
$$$
All you can eat
Full bar

Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

Photos
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ

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Ciel Capitol Hill

Ciel Capitol Hill

4.3(8 reviews)
1.6 miNoMa

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

My first visit to Ciel Social Club was such a good experience! I went during happy hour with…read morefriends and the entire vibe of the rooftop was amazing from start to finish. The views alone make you want to stay all night, especially as the sun starts to set over the city. We also got to enjoy live music from the band, which made the atmosphere feel even more fun and elevated. It was the perfect mix of great energy, good music, and a beautiful rooftop setting. For drinks, we tried the Blushing Orchard Martini, Capitol Blossom Fizz, and the Lavender Ginger Bloom -- all refreshing and well-crafted. For food, we ordered the East Coast Oysters on the Half Shell, Beef Sliders, and Mediterranean Tacos. Everything came out fresh and flavorful.

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Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill

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Bar Betsie - Back area

Bar Betsie

4.3(67 reviews)
2.0 mi

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.

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Bar Betsie - Quick view of options

Quick view of options

Bar Betsie - Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Bar Betsie - A well balanced Old Fashioned

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A well balanced Old Fashioned

Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

Death & Co DC

4.2(112 reviews)
0.8 miShaw, 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.

Photos
Death & Co DC - Please and Thank You

Please and Thank You

Death & Co DC - Mutineer

Mutineer

Death & Co DC

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The Occidental - seafood - Updated May 2026

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