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    Busboys and Poets

    4.0 (936 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Live Current wait: under 5 minutes

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    BUSBOYS AND POETS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups

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    Cauliflower Bites
    Lawanda F.

    Wow the flavor just burst with the first bite of fried cauliflower. I got the vegan tuna again. ‍ It's so good and it's90+ degrees out here. I had a half sandwich, a few sweet potato fries and 2 cauliflower bits and I'm full. FYI, I'm usually greedy but not to over stuff, I can save some for later.

    BLT Sandwich
    Tara A.

    Came here for lunch after visiting the church near by. Got the BLT. It was very good. They forgot my side of sauce but it's okay, I didn't want to bother them. Good spot to come to if you're visiting the church or university near by.

    Hannah H.

    Our group came to this location of Busboys and Poets for a HH get-together, and we had a sectioned off room that made it more private. We ordered: +Chicken Wings - these were meaty and had good flavor; the bleu cheese was chunky and creamy +Brussels Sprouts - these were just okay; seemed a bit overbaked +Vegan BBQ 'Chicken' Bites - soy protein cubes dressed in a spicy 'Korean' BBQ sauce and topped with scallions and sesame seeds +the Busboys House Salat - with mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots, and roasted corn +and, mini turkey sandwiches & mini ham sandwiches Service was friendly, but the staff had a difficult time in getting drink orders in, providing refills/utensils, and getting the check. The place does get busy, so making reservations is suggested. Garage and limited metered street parking can be found in the area. +wings +lack of service +garage and metered parking available

    Catfish Fingers

    The catfish fingers?!?! DELICIOUS! Sunshine, our waitress, described them as hard fried on the outside but soft and yummy on the inside and it was accurate!! As a southerner, I couldn't have been more impressed. The peach bellinis, bacon and cheddar burger, and chicken and pancakes were all great as well. Our service has been truly impressive and we're looking forward to returning just to see Sunshine!

    Nachos, Bean and Rice Bowl, Tropical Breeze
    Ina S.

    It's a good chill out spot for me always. I have been to the Columbia and Hyattsville, Md locations but first time to this location. Food was decent and service was quick. I love they that the menu is massive and they have something for everyone.

    When you first walk-in pretty dope scene
    Meghan P.

    Still love it here. Service is always great. I have no complaints. Busboys is definitely a spot for a meeting if the minds. So it often loud because of the networking etc. But the food is always worth it. Fresh and hot. No complaints

    Happy hour menu as of 3/2026
    Nisha B.

    I should have checked my last review before coming here and ordering the same thing. Looked liked they split 1 egg to be shared ontop of 2 muffins lol. Bland. Muffin was really soft, which made it difficult to cut thru the ham and egg, all together. I had been fasting so I was hungry but I was still hungry when I left. Waiter was absent for a minute. I was greeted by a "hello and peace and blessings" or something when I walked in, that was nice. Next, time remind me to order something completely different lol

    Bourbon bread pudding
    Kee J.

    EATONVILLE SUNDAY SUPPER SERIES (RSVP/Monthly event) let me start off by saying everything was a 10/10. you had to make reservation, submit your food options in advance. (fried chicken, catfish, pork bbq ribs and vegan pasta were the options) Everything came out in a decent time; appetizers, entree and dessert were amazing. Food was hot. I tried both beverage options; lavender lemonade and sweetened iced tea (forgot to take pic). They were delicious but I did add some water to my lemonade. The ambiance was cozy & cute. Nice playlist and you could still hear your conversation. The stick candle on the table added a nice touch. The staff were very pleasant and attentive. I would def book again and just to try different dish maybe the graham pasta bc that looked delicious as well. The experience was reasonable priced $58.40 per person; includes cornbread, appetizer, entree and dessert; I chose breading pudding instead of cheesecake) tips aren't included so maybe bring cash.

    Haviland F.

    Food was delicious. We had the Smoked Brisket Hash, a single Sweet Potato Pancake, and the Burger. The hash was good, but the other two items blew it out of the water! That pancake. So delicious. So perfect. Best pancake I've had so far in DC. And a single one is great for splitting between two people. Also, the Burger was the perfect balance of juicy, thick, and with a great sauce. One of those burgers where you're like "why can't I make them this good at home"? Also, shout out to Ledeya for her wonderful service! Will definitely be coming back. Note: ambiance is def vibes with ornate black ceiling, fun art to look at while chatting, and outdoor patio, and view of the university and the nice architecture.

    Salad & Halal Turkey Sandwich
    Sharonda M.

    This is a partial review only because the visit was only for a work organized meeting with catered options. So unfortunately i didn't experience the full menu, but the service was excellent and the staff were friendly! I did get to taste the salad, & sandwich that were catered to the group, in addition to ordering the firecracker shrimp from the restaurant menu for myself. Flavors were good food was fresh! I'll return for a full experience soon

    Cauliflower Bites

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    1 day ago

    all I gotta say is miles was great! excellent customer service. He was very polite, patient and fast.

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    6 months ago

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    20 days ago

    The best food; I've had in a long time! I typically get a Po-Boy. The one in Baltimore does not compare.

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    6 months ago

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    16 days ago

    Ibrahim was fantastic with us having 5 generations of family at the table! Food was great and the ambiance allowed us to all talk!

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    2 months ago

    Fah was amazing! she was very patient and attentive! She gave great recommendations for food. drinks and how to customize orders.

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    22 days ago

    Great fajita and black beans with rice. Thats my go to and of course the Tres leaches cake.

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    3 months ago

    Owner is rude and racist, food was bad, drinks are watered down and overpriced. I won't be going back.

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    1 month ago

    Service was great. Food was wonderful. Our server was very attentive. We were immediately seated and food came quickly.

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    1 month ago

    Great food but most of all I had an exceptional service from Fah. Very sweet girl very attentive and she communicate well.

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    Page 1 of 24

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    St. Anselm - 16 oz Prime Ribeye

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $$$

    Absolutely loved our meal here. Everything was a knockout. I ordered the chicken and was pleasantly…read moresurprised at how good it was. You'd assume there's not many ways you can innovate fried chicken but there's was amazing! Other highlights of our meal were the biscuits, the broccoli, the watermelon salad, and the ribeye steak. The service was great and we loved the dark, moody cabin-inspired ambience as well.

    Visiting DC and swung by this establishment for dinner with a group of friends…read more Overall enjoyable, but there are definitely some items which are hits and other misses. Before getting to the food, I'll first rate the interior excellent. It's big and open, and has a modern yet rustic design, which makes it an excellent atmosphere. They had an impressive list of wines and cocktails, but the draft beer selection was limited. Could use a bit more variety on tap, but I enjoyed the Imperial IPA nonetheless. As for the food; all of it was on the pricey sized given the quality and quantity served, but the salmon collar was by far my favorite -- followed by the chicken, although the chicken was a bit less meaty than I expected. The gem salad, the carrots and the steak fries were all very "meh," and the bisques seemed like small ciabatta buns rather than actual biscuits. All that aside, the biggest disappointment was unfortunately the ax ribeye - it wasn't cooked properly (despite asking for med-rate, depending on the bite, it ranged from medium to very rare), and it was really stringy and fatty - a major disappointment for a steakhouse. Deserts were delicious, I really enjoyed the ice cream cake and thought the peanut butter pie was good. Service was great, prompt and friendly. So I definitely wouldn't recommend this place as a statehouse based on my experience, but would consider coming for the salmon.

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    St. Anselm - Bar area

    Bar area

    St. Anselm - Grilled Oysters

    Grilled Oysters

    St. Anselm - Carrot Cake

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    Carrot Cake

    The Hamilton - District Wings

    The Hamilton

    3.9(4.1k reviews)
    3.0 mi
    $$

    Went for dinner while in town with family. Service was…read moregood, server was prompt & patience with us. Kids menus were $9.99 (I always judge a place on this, bc sometimes the prices are through the roof). Sushi roll I got wicked something was incredible - big & flavorful! Pork belly app was yummy as well. Mashed potatoes were smooth and so good. Brussels were also really good, caramelized and crunchy. My husband got the trout - that unfortunately was not good. Greasy and just not well prepared. He ate it but it was not yummy. Also -he got 2 gin & clubs both times the club was flat. Strange for a bar. All in all, good experience.

    As part of the Clyde's restaurant group, we were excited to try this since we love Old Ebbitt…read more However, we were a bit let down from the food. My girlfriend got the steak and eggs which she thought was good but on the saltier side. I got the crab cake benedict but my eggs were way overcooked and not runny whatsoever. My server was nice and apologetic about it. The sushi was surprisingly good and fresh. I was skeptical at first about sushi at an American restaurant but was happily surprised. Overall, a bit disappointed about the restaurant but may have been an off day. Would love to comeback and try their signature burger. Apps: Paradise Roll Entrees: Steak and Eggs and Crab Cake Eggs Benedict

    Photos
    The Hamilton - The bar and partial dining area.

    The bar and partial dining area.

    The Hamilton - Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

    Ragu Americana & Rigatoni - delicious, fresh pasta

    The Hamilton - RAGU AMERICANA & RIGATONI

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    RAGU AMERICANA & RIGATONI

    Ted's Bulletin 14th

    Ted's Bulletin 14th

    4.0(2.4k reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$
    Large group friendly
    Happy hour specials

    Always our first stop when visiting home in DC. Excellent breakfast menu and food preparation…read morealways on point. Ted's homemade "Pop Tarts" are a must. Comes w/ Big Mark Breakfast choice. Service is good, and the vibe is all D.C. Like the bottomless coffee. Check out the monster size Cakes and the Cinnamon Roll feeds 4 but weekends only.

    ​The food here genuinely hit the spot, but the surcharge and tipping setup at the end left a bit of…read morea sour taste. ​We ordered a solid spread across the table: ​Steak Frites: Cooked just right, tender, and the herbaceous chimichurri sauce added great flavor. The fries were hot, golden, and crispy. ​Chicken Pasta: Rich, creamy sauce balanced nicely by the capers and fresh lemon squeeze, with generous portions of chicken. ​Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine, plenty of parmesan, and crunchy croutons--classic and refreshing. ​Ted's Tart: The nostalgic rainbow sprinkles with whipped cream made for a fun, sweet finish to the meal. ​The real frustration came with the check. Between the added service fee/surcharge and the prompt for standard tipping on top of that, the final bill felt disproportionately high for casual neighborhood dining. Hidden fees stacking up on top of regular menu prices takes away from what would have otherwise been an easy 4- or 5-star meal. ​Great kitchen output, but management really needs to rethink the fee creep.

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    Ted's Bulletin 14th
    Ted's Bulletin 14th
    Ted's Bulletin 14th

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    Chloe - Spice Roasted Chicken

    Chloe

    4.5(766 reviews)
    4.0 miNavy Yard
    $$

    I went to CHLOE in DC and honestly, I've walked past this place so many times and had no idea there…read morewas a gym inside. I love that they have a whole fried fish because the presentation alone is spectacular. They also had a featured menu, I'm not sure if it changes weekly or monthly, and my date got the curry shrimp which was honestly a really good size portion. I was super tired that day so we were kind of in and out, but I'd definitely go back. The drinks were good too. Cute place and solid service - loved the bread as well

    Food 8/10 Atmosphere 9/10…read moreService 3/10 Came here for DC Summer Restaurant Week and unfortunately left pretty disappointed, especially for the price point. First off, there seemed to be only one waiter handling around 7-8 tables. Tables on both sides of us were visibly getting frustrated with how slow the service was. We came to enjoy ourselves and weren't in a rush, so we didn't mind waiting as much, but the service was noticeably slow. Interestingly, the actual dishes came out fairly quickly, but everything else--ordering, drinks, checking in, and getting things we needed--took a long time. For a restaurant at this price point, I was also expecting the overall experience and atmosphere to feel a little more elevated. It didn't really feel particularly upscale or special, and the bathrooms were noticeably dirty, which was surprising and definitely took away from the experience. Overall, the food was decent, but between the understaffed service, cleanliness, and atmosphere, I didn't feel the experience matched the price. Restaurant Week is usually a great opportunity to try a higher-end restaurant and want to come back, but unfortunately I don't think I'd return at the regular menu prices.

    Photos
    Chloe - Restaurant area

    Restaurant area

    Chloe - Hangar Steak

    Hangar Steak

    Chloe - Manchego cheesecake

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    Manchego cheesecake

    ChurchKey - Tots, fries, mushroom flatbread and a glimpse of chicken sando

    ChurchKey

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    2.5 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$

    Great local bar with large rotating craft beer selection. Highly recommend for any beer…read moreenthusiast. They have wine and cocktails as well. They are happy to recommend beer for your taste, and let you sample. It can be very busy and difficult to get a seat at the bar or get a table on a Friday or Saturday evening. We ordered food, and were expecting elevated bar food. The tater tots were a huge disappointment- they were very large squares , bland, and not crispy. The wings were okay. The cheeseburgers were the best- from the restaurant downstairs- mallard. Huge burger, done perfectly medium.

    Here's a review written as part of a visit to both Churchkey and Birch & Barley (the downstairs…read morerestaurant -- together they form the "2 Enjoy Everything" concept by Neighborhood Restaurant Group): A DC Gem That Delivers on Every Level If you haven't made it to Churchkey on 14th Street yet, move it to the top of your list. I visited as part of the full experience -- dinner downstairs at Birch & Barley, then up to Churchkey for drinks -- and honestly, it's one of the best evenings I've had in DC. Churchkey itself is everything a great bar should be. The beer selection is absolutely unreal -- hundreds of carefully curated labels spanning every style, region, and flavor profile you can imagine. What sets it apart is that the staff actually knows the menu. Our server walked us through a few options based on what we liked and landed us on perfect picks both times. That kind of genuine expertise is rare. The tavern pizzas from the wood-fired oven were a wonderful surprise -- thin, crispy, and the perfect companion to a cold draft. The smash burger also deserves a mention: simple, well-executed, and hits the spot. The vibe is warm and lively without being overwhelming. Great for a date, a group, or even just sitting at the bar solo with a good beer and good conversation with the bartender. This place has earned its reputation as one of the best beer bars on the East Coast -- and then some. Highly recommend making a full night of it with both floors. You won't regret it. Feel free to adjust the tone or add any personal details from your actual visit!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey - Stairs

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    Stairs

    The Capital Burger - Our namesake burger is served French onion-style with caramelized onions, Wisconsin Grand Cru gruyère and shallot aioli.

    The Capital Burger

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This place is sooo good! Perfect ambiance, the vibe is kind of a modern pub without being dark and…read moredreary, big comfortable booths, plenty of space to not feel like you're part of someone else's conversation. Honestly we were so pleasantly surprised by how good the burgers are! I had the Capital Burger which had such incredible flavor and the burger itself is thick and juicy. Despite having just had a big dinner somewhere else, as I write this, my mouth is watering. My daughter had the wild mushrooms burger and she loved it -- the aioli had the perfect tang to go with the mushroom and Swiss, both burgers were cooked perfectly medium as requested. The old fashioned was just your typical old fashioned with a slice of candied bacon attached to the outside of the glass. We were hoping for something smokier and a little different but it was still a very good Old Fashioned. We shared the chocolate mousse and it was perfection. Yum! If I lived here this would be my new regular spot.

    I'll keep it simple here: the burger was legit. I really enjoyed it and I would definitely order…read morefrom here again. The fries were good too. Plus we had a good time dining outside while the weather was nice. They also made a solid strong old fashioned which i would come back for. Overall good burger, good fries and good drinks. What more can you ask for?

    Photos
    The Capital Burger - Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    Our Stoli Doli spiked shake is long sought & loudly slurped. Stoli Vodka hand-spun w/rich vanilla ice cream & topped w/candied pineapple

    The Capital Burger - Blue Cheese and Truffle Burger topped with cabernet-braised red onions.

    Blue Cheese and Truffle Burger topped with cabernet-braised red onions.

    The Capital Burger - The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

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    The Capital Burger offers signature burgers, handcrafted cocktails, local brews and award-winning wines.

    Busboys and Poets - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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