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    CIRCA at Foggy Bottom

    3.9 (990 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

    CIRCA at Foggy Bottom Photos

    Business Info

    CIRCA AT FOGGY BOTTOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Rustic Italian Flatbread
    Peter D.

    This flatbread tasted great in my opinion. Although I got a single item for takeout, I thought I didn't have to wait too long for my order. The flatbread itself tasted good and I would order again. Indoors, it seemed pretty clean and somewhere I would get drinks someday. Will definitely have to check out this establishment for a sit down experience soon!

    Barbecue Chicken Flatbread
    Angela B.

    An easy location to get, a colleague and I popped into CIRCA for lunch. We sat at the bar and the bartender was very attentive. There was a decent crowd for the lunch hour. The food and the beverage was were very delicious. Regardless of location, I don't think I have had a bad experience at CIRCA.

    Veg Quinoa Bowl
    Sarah W.

    We stopped in here for a late lunch after a lengthy day or walking and touring the city, so it was quite an oasis. We chose to sit inside due to windy day, but the sheltered patio did appear appealing. Our food was delicious and had lovely presentation and variety of flavors. Service was a 4/5 due to oversight on bringing some of the drinks to the table until after food has been served, not checking in to see if all was well, servers handing our table off without explanation, and bringing food out sporadically rather than at least being close with timing. Manager did stop by on her rounds near the end of our meal, but otherwise seemed to be preoccupied with other matters. Restaurant was low to mild noise level with almost 1/2 of the tables being in service during mid afternoon, comfortable seating, and we took note and admired all of the interesting and unique dishes brought to our table.

    Steak and Eggs
    Latifa H.

    The location is great - right across the screen from the foggy bottom metro station. We got outdoor seating since it was warm outside and it was nice. The service was slow despite the restaurant not having enough people. We got water about 20 minutes after we were seated. The food was also okay - nothing spectacular. I ordered the steak and eggs that were supposed to come with home fries but they came with roasted potatoes. When I asked the server she gave a very confused answer and basically said you only get fries at dinner and at brunch we give you whatever potatoes??? I've never experienced this anywhere else but I usually try not to send food back so I didn't. The steak was overcooked. I asked for a medium and was served what was very close to a well done. It was charred and clearly overcooked beyond even medium well. The beignets we got for the table were very good tho.

    Tuna Poke Nachos - with a bit more finesse could be one of the top I've tasted
    Marshal R.

    Overall 4.5 out of 5 1st dish - Tuna Poke Nachos ° With a bit more finesse, they could be one of the best I've tried. - What I mean is that the ingredients weren't very well spread around. Had it been evenly distributed, would have been killer with every bite. ° Micro greens really brought the dish up. Heck, just give a little more of the greens all around the dish and it's perfect. 2nd dish - Jambalaya ° Nice and well dressed with sauce ° All ingredient were tasty ° Enjoyed every bite Service was good and timely. My biggest complaint would be the heat on the patio. But I also didn't ask to change it either. But wow, after walking from the Nat. Mall to Circa, it was way too much heat.

    Eliot Ness
    Carlos B.

    Foggy Bottom stop. Strong decision. First things first: the Brussels + Blue? Elite opener. Crispy charred Brussels sprouts with that funky blue cheese situation happening -- savory, bold, fork-after-fork behavior. The kind of appetizer that disappears mid-conversation. Now let's talk about the real MVP: our server. Jen hits her with the classic fork-in-the-road dilemma: "Chicken Pillard versus Jambalaya?" Without hesitation: "If you want a little spice in your life, then Jambalaya." Okayyy. Energy. Direction. We like that. Naturally, I escalate. "Aiight... Chicken Pillard versus Tequila Filet Tips Linguine?" She keeps it simple: "Well, it's chicken versus beef. If you like beef, then filet tips." No culinary dissertation. No dramatic pause. Just facts. Efficient. Confident. Helpful. Passed the vibe check with flying colors. For the record -- Chicken Pillard is apparently popular. It just didn't survive our bracket. Tough matchup. Heavy hitters on the board. Atmosphere felt polished but not pretentious. Lively without being chaotic. The kind of place where you can roll in casual but still feel like you made a solid choice. Would absolutely return. Would absolutely consult that server again. And yes -- Brussels + Blue is non-negotiable.

    Blackened Chicken Mango salad
    Taylor M.

    The service here is good, and I have always been accommodated with a space even when the restaurant is super busy. The shaded patio area is nice especially in good weather, although the medical centers next door receive loud siren and helicopter traffic. I like the variety of vegetarian options!

    Brioche Bread Pudding
    Amber N.

    I ordered food through Uber. They didn't include utensils as requested. The short rib was not worth the price; it was severely lacking in flavor and tenderness. The brioche bread pudding was very good. The white chocolate, creme and caramel was a great combination over the fluffy bread that is also crispy in the right places.

    Seared tuna salad
    Courtney G.

    We walked down few blocks from our hotel . The staff welcomed us immediately and told us there was a short wait so we made our way to the bar. We both ordered drinks.. our bartender helped me choose as I just wanted something a little sweet but refreshing and he hit nail on the head! We were seated shortly after getting drinks . We ordered wagu sliders as an app and wow they had great flavor! The waitress was so nice and checked to make sure we were happy . I ordered seared tuna salad.. it was very tasty. I highly recommend this place.. foods amazing and staff top notch.. it can be a little loud as it's a busy place but worth it.

    Seasonal salad with grilled chicken and goat cheese
    Tammy J.C. D.

    The meatballs sliders were amazing! Stopped in for dinner before a show at the Kennedy center and this place was great. Drinks were on point, and did I mentioned the meatball sliders? you gotta try them. Seasonal salad was pretty good, grilled chicken was super fresh, just could have used a bit more dressing and goat cheese. Service on the patio was great, but it was a bit noisy out there during happy hour.

    Turkey Burger with side of sweet potato fries that comes with it.
    Jeff B.

    Went back for lunch today. Again, the meal was very good and the service excellent. Today, we tried the Vegi-Quinoa Salad and the soup of the day (Chicken Tortilla). The soup ($8) was not a huge portion, but was so filling we each took half of our delicious entrees home for dinner. As was true the last time, the service was very good, especially keeping our water glasses full. Place has a nice vibe. Classy yet comfortable.

    Chicken pillard
    Ashley M.

    Incredible spot for dinner in Foggy Bottom. The drinks were tasty and the food was impressive! Everything seemed fresh and the combinations of flavors were wonderful! I cannot recommend enough the chicken pillard! The mushrooms were incredible!

    Roy A.

    Stopped here since it's across from Metro Station. Sat in the bar area with NBA playoff game on multiple screens. We order two salads and we're not disappointed. The blackened chicken was excellent. Service was very good.

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    CIRCA at Foggy Bottom Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - CIRCA at Foggy Bottom

    Does the patio have heaters?

    Yes! Our patio does have heaters and we have retractable side panels that enclose the patio on especially chilly days.

    Where is best place to park?

    Taking the metro is easier. Once you get off the metro, from the exit, the restaurant is right there

    View All 3 Questions

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    St. Anselm

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    2.8 mi
    $$$

    Had a great dining experience and will definitely be back…read more From the complimentary deviled eggs to the salmon collar, glazed carrots, mushrooms, carrot cake, chocolate cake, root beer float, and buttermilk biscuits, the meal was full of standout dishes. The recommendation to pair the honey with the cheese on the biscuits was excellent and took an already great item to another level. The broccolini, coffee, and espresso shot were not our favorites of the evening, but honestly, the other dishes were so good that we quickly forgot about them. Every course seemed to have something memorable to offer. The bartender service was stellar throughout the night, attentive without being intrusive, and helped make the experience even more enjoyable. We left full, satisfied, and already talking about what we'd order on our next visit. Looking forward to coming back.

    Finally got to check out St. Anselm and it did not disappoint! It's a cool vibe for dinner with…read morefriends or even a date night. The staff are super attentive to everything going on. They made sure to keep our table clean and gave us new silverware and plates before or entrees arrived. Any food that we did not finish was boxed up and put into bags for us. The manager was actively walking around the restaurant, making sure that every guest were enjoying their dinner. The food was good all around but there are some dishes that outshine the rest. The ribeye and New York strip were very good. The butchers steak I got for my son and he didn't really like it, it was lacking flavor. If you do anything when you go, please make sure to get the biscuits. Hands down THE BEST BISCUITS I've ever had lol. They are the most flaky and buttery biscuits, you can count each layer that these have. Pro tip is to ask for butter and the house made jam. The pimento cheese is good with them but it becomes a little too decadent. Overall I'm happy we made the decision to come here, we will be back soon.

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    St. Anselm
    St. Anselm
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    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    1.5 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    I came here with friends to catch up…read more Location was great. Right on the side of the convention center. It was clean and a the energy was great there. Customer service was great. Our service was great and the server was great. Literally not one bite of any item we ate was nothing less than 5 stars. The buffalo cauliflower and sweet potato house rolls were amazing appetizers. My double cheeseburger and fries was one of the best burgers I have had in a long time. The meat was so rich in flavor. The fries were a perfect mix of outside crispiness and soft inside. My girlfriend got the pot roast rendang and the salted caramel ice cream. Both were so good. This is spot was amazing and I highly recommend this location and plan to stop here anytime I'm in the area visiting.

    My forever go to for brunch went in the DC area. The staff was great. The food is great. The…read moreconvenient location to the convention center made me a repeat patron! There is usually a line, but with seating inside, outside and at the bar, it is usually not a long wait. I opt to the sit at the bar since I was participating in a conference and needed a quick turnaround. Server acknowledged me right away as he was preparing drinks for another patron. I was extremely impressed with the menu offering which had traditional breakfast items mixed with fresh veggies, and spices from around the world. I ordered the Brussel sprouts with fried egg whites. It was delicious and extremely filling. I savored each and every bite. The only thing I would have preferred would have been more coffee offerings. The food here is truly king and I can work with that!

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    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

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    The Hamilton - District Wings

    The Hamilton

    3.9(4k reviews)
    1.0 mi
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    I tried the Hamilton for the first time on a Saturday night around midnight, on the weekend of the…read moreUS's 250th birthday celebration. Despite this and the crowded bar area, my party of 3 was still seated immediately at a booth in one of the many dining rooms. The atmosphere was both lively at the bar area and calm in the dining areas. Despite how fancy and old-timey the building is, it seems like the vibe is casual. Our attentive waiter informed us that the kitchen closed at 12:30am, so we ordered quickly. I got the: Hamilton burger 4/5 sunny-side up egg, bacon, b&b pickles, tilamook cheddar, dijionaise, house-made brioche bun This tall burger had a thick, juicy patty that paired so well with the egg, bacon, and cheese. I opted to remove the pickles. Considering it was served with fries, this was a reasonably priced meal for a popular destination in the city. BIRD IS THE WORD 4/5 planteray '3 star' rum, smith + cross jamaican rum, daytrip strawberry amaro, demerara, pineapple, lime Sweet, fruity, refreshing cocktail! Nothing to write home about but was indeed a delicious experience.

    This was always my go to when I lived in DC and where I would send friends visiting…read more Sadly it isn't as good anymore. They used to bring complimentary bread with a delicious salty butter but they now charge $9 for that. They used to have a great happy hour for drinks and bites but now they only offer $5 off select sushi rolls during HH. The selection is kind of blah now, there wasn't much that stood out for me to order. The kids meals were also mediocre, especially the pizza.

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    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

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    The Pembroke - Broccolini, so good that even vegetable averse will love.

    The Pembroke

    4.1(412 reviews)
    0.8 miDupont Circle

    Penbrook delivered a genuinely impressive breakfast experience, starting with amazing service and…read moreconsistently great food. The standout of the morning was the breakfast side potatoes--crispy, seasoned perfectly, and easily something I'd come back for. The breadbasket came with three pastries, which felt a bit smaller than expected, but the almond croissant more than made up for it. On the heartier side, the chicken and waffles were extremely filling thanks to the dense waffles, so definitely a dish to tackle with an appetite. One of the biggest surprises was the brunch salad with salmon, which ended up being one of the best salads I've had in a long time--fresh, balanced, and satisfying. The breakfast sandwich was another highlight: so good that it's now the new standard I'll compare all other breakfast sandwiches to. The smoked salmon bagel was also a fun experience, served deconstructed so you can build each bite exactly how you like it. Not everything was a hit--the French toast wasn't my favorite--but the overall meal was strong enough that it barely detracted from the experience. Brunch offers a few additions beyond the regular breakfast menu, but overall it's very similar to their standard breakfast, just with a couple of extra options. It tends to get full on the weekends to make a reservation. Bottom line: Penbrook is a beautiful hotel restaurant that punches above its weight--excellent service, memorable dishes, and several items worth returning for.

    Service: A+ Food: A+…read moreAmbiance: A+ Highly recommend! Our sever, Mr. Michel, was A+ Centrally located, close to everything

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    Off The Record

    Off The Record

    4.2(453 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown
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    Attentive service, superlative cocktails, with pub grub to match. We were there for lunch and two…read moreappetizers were plenty. Note this venue is in the basement of the Hays-Adams hotel. Due to its proximity to the White House and VIP guests it is often under guard, and the external staircase directly down to the bar is closed. Simply enter the main entrance to the hotel and ask the doorman to direct you to the interior stairwell down.

    This is a really fun, iconic basement speakeasy spot located right underneath a hotel, just steps…read moreaway from the White House. The food and drink here are both excellent and absolutely worth coming for. They serve up great, high-quality cocktails, and I also ordered the cheeseburger, which was really juicy and beautifully cooked. The space itself is famous for having political caricature artwork all over the restaurant, and they even give you fun caricature coasters that you can take home with you as a souvenir. Because it's a popular underground spot, it can definitely get incredibly busy and cramped in there. I've been multiple times, and almost every single time it is tough to find a spot to sit. However, I did come once during an off-peak time, right in the middle of the week around 1:00 PM for lunch--and it wasn't to busy, so we were easily able to just sit right at the bar.  I would definitely recommend checking this place out! While the tight crowds can make it a bit tough on a busy week day or weekend night, it is completely worth experiencing at least once for the great drinks, good food, and unique atmosphere.

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    Yardbird

    Yardbird

    3.8(899 reviews)
    1.3 miDowntown
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    Full bar
    Gluten-free friendly

    Food was good service was good. Only issue is I wanted to order a meal with fries. The waitress…read moresaid she wasnt sure that the fryer they use to fry shrimp was the same as the one they use for fries. I had ask the kitchen to be sure as I have a shellfish allergy. She came back and told me that it wasnt the same fryer but they were close in proximity and she couldn't guarantee that there would be no cross contamination. Shellfish allergies are very common and I would imagine that the kitchen would have better precautions to insure that there is no cross contamination to ensure no one gets sick or a reaction.

    Tried Yardbird for brunch for the first time and had a great experience! I was seated right away…read morewithout a reservation, which was a nice surprise. My waitress was super friendly, bubbly, and really knew the menu. She gave some great recommendations. I ordered the American breakfast and the biscuit French toast. Everything was good! The sunnyside eggs were especially great, and both the sausage and bacon were cooked really well. Even the arugula salad that came with the breakfast stood out. It had a light lemon vinaigrette that I really enjoyed. The hash browns with a fried block delight. I wasn't sure what to expect with the biscuit French toast, but it tasted exactly like it sounds. biscuits turned into French toast. It didn't have that classic French toast flavor, but it was still really good and worth trying. The atmosphere was nice, pretty packed, but the noise level was just right. My waitress checked on me often, which I appreciated. I'll definitely be coming back for brunch!

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    Proper Bar - Pasta prawn dish

    Proper Bar

    4.2(48 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    GORGEOUS establishment. Opulence on a 1,000! Young people…read moreand their champagne taste, malt liquor money. Here for my baby girl's 27th birthday dinner; Sat., 6/6/26. When did ice cream cake and your fav meal from mommy not be enough? All jokes aside, this was definitely an experience for my 58 year-mortgage-having- work-everyday-countdown-til-retirement self. Shout out to our top tier bartender, Eddie! My Mom and I were on time so we enjoyed perfectly delicious espresso and dirty martinis while we waited. Our party of 8 had top tier service from Ari and dined on top tier seafood in the midst of top tier elegance. I can't rave enough. (They even bought a round of complimentary bubbly to toast the birthday girl!) Hope you enjoy Proper Bar as much as we did!

    My good girlfriend was coming down from Baltimore and wanted to meet up for drinks and light bites…read more She's known for picking trendy, cute spots, so no surprise that we ended up at Proper Bar. A few people kept asking if we were going to Proper on F St or Proper on K St, both sports bars, and up until the day of I thought maybe they were affiliated. That was far from the truth... and honestly, once you walk in, you'll get why Drinks & Food I wasn't planning to drink since I haven't really been drinking lately, but I decided to go for a tequila espresso martini, and I'm glad I did. It was smooth, balanced, and honestly just really good. My friend ordered a Paper Plane, which she loved. For bites, we shared the chicken nuggets with caviar (yes, nuggets and caviar... and yes, they were delicious) and the lemon garlic shrimp, which was flavorful and perfectly cooked. Everything we ordered hit the mark. Prices are about what you'd expect for K Street and the overall vibe. Think $20-$25 cocktails, $20+ appetizers, and $35+ entrees. Portions, both drinks and food, lean on the smaller side, which is probably the only thing that might make you pause and wonder if it's slightly overpriced. ‍ Service Service was great. Our server checked on us regularly without hovering and offered helpful suggestions when we asked. Everything came out timely, and we felt taken care of throughout the night. Ambiance This is where Proper really shines. I walked into a cute, ground-level, dimly lit lounge with an opulent bar and a man playing the piano, which set the tone for the whole evening It felt upscale but still welcoming. Perfect for a romantic date night or a girls' night with your closest friends when you want to feel a little fancy. Overall The food, drinks, and vibes were so good that I completely forgot to take pictures, which almost never happens That alone says a lot. Proper Bar is a spot I'd return to when I'm in the mood for good cocktails, a stylish atmosphere, and a polished night out.

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    CIRCA at Foggy Bottom - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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