Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ciel Downtown

    3.6 (151 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

    Ciel Downtown Photos

    CIEL DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ciel Downtown

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Rooftops and Champagne. Spring in DC! 2025
    Nessa R.

    Ciel Downtown was in my bookmarks so when we finally had good non-rainy weather, Ciel it was! We had a reservation and got there early, they accommodated us early. I was told by co-workers that it's usually busy as it's a rooftop but it was pretty empty at 1:15 p.m. on a Saturday. We opted for the unlimited mimosas with champagne, $90 per person. I am not sure if the bill accurately reflected that. The bill was almost $400 and we only had about 5 tapas with the $90 per person option. What was a miss, well for starters they didn't have champagne buckets for the champagne to sit on ice, and they tried to serve us big containers of juice but our table was really small. They should definitely invest in champagne holders for the side of the table to accommodate the juice and the Champagne. The ambiance is ascetically pleasing. The open doors and windows allowed for the spring air to come in which was great because it was so hot! Service was good but not great, our server may have been new, he kind of missed marks, barely checked in, but it was ok. If Ciel used to be a go to for brunch it definitely has lost its touch of customers because at 3 p.m. when we were heading out it was still relatively empty, half capacity. Let's get into it! Arugula Salad - Small but hit by the spot! Flavor was fantastic! Bacon - Good! Hash brown - Delicious, garnished perfect! Chicken Yakitori - Good! I'd probably come back but just for drinks, maybe. I'd likely not recommend but would come to circle back to see if things change.

    Potatoes
    Sarah A.

    Overall, the experience was good we had good service. However, I wish that they had a little bit more diversity on the menu. These were the only two items that were vegan friendly. They were good sides but not quite a meal. The ambience was really nice and pretty. They have a outdoor area on the roof. However, I did not love the coed bathrooms and they were quite small as far as the walking area.

    East view from the balcony
    Kent D.

    I had great time here. Beautiful views and a great indoor/outdoor feel. I arrived early to make sure I can get the perfect seat. I'm glad that I did because it got packed really quick. The food and drinks were great as well. I really enjoyed the Shrimp Noodles and wings. I'll definitely be back.

    Brandy 75
    Samuel C.

    The vibe? Immaculate. The rooftop setting? Chef's kiss--even though it was cold enough to consider layering like you're trekking Everest. We braved it outside for a bit, but quickly retreated to the warmth. Now, the drinks were solid--no complaints there--but let's get to the real star of the show: the shrimp noodle bowl. Holy flavor bomb. That thing was a masterpiece in a bowl. I'm still daydreaming about it and seriously considering a long-distance relationship with this restaurant just for that dish. If you order nothing else (though you probably should), do yourself a favor and get the shrimp noodle bowl. You won't regret it.

    The view from Ciel rooftop!
    Gina A.

    Service was excellent. They have a large selection of craft cocktails. My dinner companion had the hot chicken sandwich and I had the burger. The fries were amazing. The burger was incredibly juicy and cooked a perfect medium rare. The music was a little loud but the views are spectacular. If you are looking for a great vantage point in NOMA look no further!!

    Lauren A.

    Every time I have come here there has been a private rooftop event so I have never been up top. Maybe I'm just not lucky or maybe I'm not supposed to ever visit the top but my review for this place is... Call in advance to ensure you can actually visit the rooftop. I do enjoy the lobby hotel bar though lol

    Angela P.

    Super cute space! We went here for cocktails and appetizers. Currently they are all decorated for Cherry Blossom season including a special menu. This is a roof top bar/restaurant- you will want to make a reservation. The drinks are a little pricey (if you aren't from the area at least) but the Happy Hour deals are great. The chicken skewers are really delicious and really worth it I swear it's like a whole chicken breast per skewer! The cauliflower was really flavorful. The high top tables are a little small if you aren't use getting bites to share so possibly something to mention if you are making reservations and plan on going for more than just drinks. It was a little too cold for enjoying the patio but they still had it open to go out and enjoy the view if you wanted to which was nice. Features gender neutral single stall restrooms with exterior sinks which is really nice set up.

    Ambiance

    The ambiance was festive (cherry blossom season themed!) and the service was amazing! Our server was L and she tended to us right away, checking on us often. We felt taken care of. The drinks were delicious and we got the creamy orzo pasta that was incredibly inexpensive and so yummy! Awesome amount of food for the price for a side dish! Would totally come back here next time we visit!

    Chell H.

    Great improvement from my first visit. I went during a jazz night on a Tuesday. The food & drinks were great. The manager even walked around to chat with guests.

    Christine B.

    I intended on just having a drink and leaving, but I am glad I stayed. This has been the best last-minute late night experience I've had in a while! The ambiance is warm and inviting. I am sure by the photos I have seen on social media, the spring and summer is definitely a vibe. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by Juliana, who is an outstanding host. She was very accommodating, ensuring I could have a space for a large party of friends. She not only got a table , but ensured I was knowledgeable about the food menu. She even gave me info about HH, which I certainly will try out in the coming weeks. She connected me to our server, Alex, who continued the great customer service. I ordered a margarita at the bar, which the bartender was very helpful-as I didn't see anything on the drink menu u I thought would be appetizing. Our party of 8 ordered each item on the food menu, and each dish was delicious. The skewers were flavorful as well as the Mac and Cheese. I don't really believe you can go wrong with ordering anything off the late night menu. I will visit again to try out HH, with hopes it will not disappoint.

    Chi A.

    A night out in DC landed us at Ciel Social Club. We came from dinner at Ocean Prime and wanted a particular vibe, and Ciel delivered. Our Uber dropped us out front and as we walked in, the bouncer checked our IDs, walked us into the elevator, which then brought us to the rooftop. The ambiance was inviting, calm and spacious. While there was a bit of a crowd, I didn't feel suffocated. We got a drink from the bar and grabbed a high top. The music was good, the staff were friendly, the patrons were all well behaved and the views of the city was a sight to see. We certainly had a good time and it's a must if you're visiting.

    Ceasar salad with salmon
    Mila F.

    Came back for food and they did not disappoint! The drinks are always good here first of all but the orzo is delicious and creamy! Service was a little hectic since we came at the time the restaurant was turning into a lounge. Was kind of hard to get their attention again ! Ambience is nice! Make reservations if you want seating though - walk ins on the weekends hardly get through at the last minute

    Donyiel C.

    I finally made it to this rooftop yesterday! They're located at the AC Hotel on K Street! Made a reservation (which I recommend), or you'll be at the bar. I'm still mad at myself for not taking advantage of the beautiful sunset views. That just means I need to come back soon. Probably only for happy hour! The Cherry Blossom themed decor is super cute! It definitely makes for great IG pics! Service by Tori was great. The drinks were good - not overly strong, but very pricey. The listed cocktails were $16 - $20. We tried one drink off the menu, and it was $27! Yikes! Good, but overpriced! There's a limited food menu. This is not a cheap date kind of place but a cool place if you want to make a good impression. Parking is terrible. Just Uber!

    Interior

    See all

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    24 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nessa R.
    901
    1120
    5883

    1 year ago

    Helpful 43
    Thanks 10
    Love this 24
    Oh no 7

    6 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 2
    Love this 0
    Oh no 4

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sofia B.

    Sofia B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chi A.
    309
    891
    2666

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 11
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    The vibes was so good .. we had so much fun , also the music was good .. i will be back

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Maria C.
    120
    44
    15

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sofia B.

    Sofia B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sofia B.

    Sofia B.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tea C.
    546
    655
    1644

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sofia B.

    Sofia B.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sofia B.

    Sofia B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Nicole B.

    Nicole B.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Ciel Downtown

    Does Ciel Social Club check ids at the entrance for the entry or is it okay if we dun bring id? Me and my friends are visiting and we dun wanna take passport as an id everywhere we go lol:)

    Of course they check ID. When you going out to establishments that serve alcohol they are supposed to check ID.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Free State - Hazy IPA

    Free State

    4.3(149 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

    Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

    Photos
    Free State - Spiked chocolate

    Spiked chocolate

    Free State - Bar

    Bar

    Free State - Small glasses

    See all

    Small glasses

    Chadol Korean BBQ

    Chadol Korean BBQ

    4.5(133 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$$
    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

    See all

    Ciel Capitol Hill

    Ciel Capitol Hill

    4.2(11 reviews)
    0.8 miNoMa

    The setting is really nice and during happy hour the sun sets on the other side of where there is…read moreseating so it's perfect. However, the music is so loud that it's impossible to enjoy dinner with friends. We came on Wednesday's for the live jazz music but after a long day of work trying to wind down was impossible. We saw several people leave because of how loud it was. The type of music playing and the time of the set being during dinner hours the noise level should be played on a lower level.

    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.

    Photos
    Ciel Capitol Hill
    Ciel Capitol Hill
    Ciel Capitol Hill

    See all

    Bar Betsie - Back area

    Bar Betsie

    4.3(69 reviews)
    1.2 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.

    Photos
    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

    See all

    A well balanced Old Fashioned

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    4.2(114 reviews)
    0.3 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.

    We were here to get drinks and apps to kickstart our friend's birthday celebration. Unfortunately,…read morewe didn't have a reservation for that evening. Because the last time we were here, we could find a seat easily. So never thought about making a reservation. As we walked in, the place was packed. Lucky we got a table in the corner for an hour. One of us had to stand unfortunately. Drinks were great but felt overpriced. Food was delicious too. Fried potatoes and tartar is a must have. The service was great. Ambiance is amazing as well. Slightly on the darker side in the inside. They also have outdoor seating.

    Photos
    Death & Co DC - Please and Thank You

    Please and Thank You

    Death & Co DC - Mutineer

    Mutineer

    Death & Co DC

    See all

    Ciel Downtown - tapasmallplates - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...