I had high hopes for Dauphine's, but overall the food was pretty mediocre. The steak was very chewy and difficult to enjoy, and the duck was overly fatty without much balance. The baked shells were fine, but nothing special or memorable. For the price and reputation, I expected more. Unfortunately, this wasn't a meal I'd be eager to repeat. read more

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I visited for happy hour and I wasn't pleased with the taste of the food. The margarita was great though! Staff was friendly and the restaurant is lovely, just not for my taste buds! read more

Beautifully decorated restaurant with classic New Orleans flare. The hostess were amazing!! Kudos to them for knowing their customers and also messaging to change to indoor tables when the weather is chilly. We were celebrating an early birthday dinner and they both greeted me so warmly. On to the food!! We tried the bbq shrimp, oyster dauphine's, creole catfish, yellowtail tuna Au poivre, and birthday beignets! The oysters were my favorite a play on oysters Rockefeller essentially. They were well balanced. The bbq shrimp lacked flavor and ours unfortunately were a tad overdone and chewy. The catfish was light with well balanced acidity of the sauce. The yellowtail tuna was unfortunately lukewarm but the flavor made up for it. Possibly the dish was sitting and waiting for the catfish to be done. Another issue with the tuna was the cut, with stringy texture on one side. The birthday beignets were delicious and surprisingly light and airy. I loved that you could control the amount of powdered sugar. A few more notes, we were seated upstairs next to 3 large parties and it got quite loud and in terms of service we were sometimes forgotten about. The cocktails/mocktails aren't the greatest mine was incredibly sweet and I only took one sip and they took it back. But overall I give this place a four because there were more hits than misses. Check it out! read more

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Food - creole food and we wanted to try it. A slight disappointment that they didn't have some kind of andouille inspired rice dish or even gumbo. Had the andouille and pimento board and pig ear salad. I wanted to try a fish dish but somehow the two orders filled me up. So next time. We also had oysters and wifey said it was good! Service - i forgot the waitress' name, maybe Lucy, but she was so warm and welcoming darling. She's a keeper and perfect example of awesomeness. Ambiance - place was nice and fancy but rockin' place! Verdict - definitely a must try at least once if you are in the DC area! read more

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Little bit of a wait even with a reservation but the heated patio was comfortable. If your group love duck, the duck jambalaya was incredible. The smoky red pepper sauce on the Tasso stuffed chicken was very savory read more

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If you're an oyster lover, this place is an absolute must during happy hour! The happy hour oysters here are the best I've had--fresh, briny, and impeccably shucked. Each one was served chilled on a bed of ice with classic accompaniments like mignonette, lemon wedges, and cocktail sauce, letting the natural flavor of the oysters shine. At such a great price, it's the perfect excuse to indulge. Pair them with a crisp glass of white wine or a craft cocktail from the bar, and you've got the ideal start to your evening. The vibe is relaxed yet lively, and the service is consistently attentive without being overbearing. A true hidden gem for oyster lovers--I'll be back again and again. read more

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Great brunch spot! The jazz music was a good volume and food tasted great. Highly recommend!

I've wanted to try this restaurant for years and finally made it for brunch. We got the Brunch Basket which included buttermilk biscuits, banana bread, scone du jour, seasonal jam, and salted butter. I could have done without this but my friend enjoyed. Next we enjoyed the blackened catfish spread, and for my entree I had Blackened Catfish Creole. I did not know if the catfish would be fried or blackened. I really liked that it was blackened. It had great flavor and not heavy. The actual restaurant had a jazz band and was bright and inviting. Our waitress was great and was able to provide great suggestions. read more

Dauphine’s - Blackened Catfish Creole - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was very tasty and the service was good. Great atmosphere. The bread appetizer and the gumbo were delicious.

Service was terrible, it took forever to order and then we got our food our sever was nowhere to be found. We had an amazing time our first time out so we came back. Either it's an off night or they were way better during restaurant week. The steak was tender but very dry. The boudin balls laked any real flavor outside of the pickled jalapeños and mustard. The soufflé is really just inflated fries and the beef po boy is okay. The star of our meal was our New Orleans Buck drink. Nobody really cared we were even there and our bill for 2 was $169. I'd hope at that price we'd get some decent service. But no. I'd stay away from Dauphines. read more

Dauphine’s - Steak, looks better than it is, needed lots of salt and I asked for sauce. Kinda dry, stay away - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food and drinks were decent. Experience overshadowed but poor service from our server Kia. She seemed inexperienced and uninterested in us. Left multiple times for extended periods of time. Id go back and just sit at the bar read more

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I was looking for a place to get a king cake and Dauphines came up on a quick online search. I ordered the cake 2 days before I wanted to pick it up and paid online. When I went for pickup, the host just pulled it from a stack at the door and it was really easy (which was different from what I read in another review). I sat at the bar for a quick bite and was pleasantly surprised by the beef tartare, it was literally the best I've have in DC! read more

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It was just okay. A bit lackluster, I was expecting more. The food was only okay and portions were small. I got broiled oysters for an app, then the catfish and grits as an entree and had some of the sausage dish, but was still really hungry and my taste buds weren't satisfied. The drinks were good, and I'd definitely come back for restaurant week when i think it's worth it! Staff was nice and the ambiance was as well. read more

I continue to be wowed by Dauphines. Still love the frozen bourbon milk punch!!! I tried a new dish, the cavatelli, and I was BLOWN AWAY. It was ridiculously delicious for a seemingly simple dish. They sold king cakes for Mardi Gras this year. I got to taste the plain/regular and the chocolate chip cookie dough. The cookie dough one was unique and very good, but for the plain cake, I found the one from Bayou Bakery to be better. The Dauphines one was rather dense while the Bayou one was flakier and better in the middle. Nevertheless, I recommend the flavored ones and the price was very fair. Pick up was a cinch! read more

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I got invited back to Dauphine's to try their restaurant week menu again. This second time around the service was amazing. 10/10 on all fronts. Shoutout to Victoria for taking care of my mom and I. For comparison, I pretty much ordered the same thing off the restaurant week menu. Tuna crudo appetizer, beef sirloin entree, chocolate mousse dessert. The food was delicious. The tuna & mousse were great as before, the real stand out was the beef. The sirloin was tender, cooked well, not fatty and very flavorful. We also ordered the smokey fish dip appetizer to try and it was a great started. I am glad I got to taste it how it was supposed to be done! We thoroughly enjoyed our time this go around. Thank you to Dauphines for having us back and showing us your best! read more

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Sunday Jazz Brunch is a must go. The music is a perfect addition to the morning. Not too loud so you can still enjoy conversation, but loud enough to fill moments of silence. I was with a group of 8 and service was great. I ordered the Creole Bloody Mary with vodka. It had a good kick but not too spicy. The creole spice rim was a nice touch. We split two orders of the brunch basket. Everything was great and baked with love. I had the fried catfish & grits as my entree. Was a little apprehensive about the brown butter, but was pleasantly surprised at how well all the flavors worked. The grits were creamy and the catfish fried to perfection. I don't get to DC too often but will absolutely be back for another jazz brunch! read more

Dauphine’s - Fried Catfish & Grits - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had an amazing time! Went during summer restaurant week with my family to celebrate my birthday! Our server Marvin (I hope I get this right) was hilarious and offered us amazing service! Intentionally went on a Sunday bc I knew they would have a jazz band for brunch. Resy was at 10:30 and the band was already playing. I believe they also have all day HH on Sundays but anywho we shared plates and I got to taste the gumbo, riccotta blitz?, and crab+ corn hush puppies, meatloaf with the poached egg and fish and grits. Everything was fantastic. The gumbo was out of this world and came with potato salad. Never seen that before but it really did something for me with the warmth from the gumbo and the coldness of the potato salad and how it honestly just was amazing. The egg could have been poached better but it was perf for my mom who didn't want anything too runny. The peaches and cream bread pudding also and the beignets!! Just come and eat please the staff were so attentive and the food hit all the spots. I was skeptical about the fish and grits but the cook on the catfish was PERFECT. the seasonings were amazing. I thought I would need some salt and pepper or hot sauce but everything was bussin! Follow @verymuchoutside for more food reviews and recommendations! read more

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As a New Orleans native, I come to Dauphine's when I want the things I can't normally get -- mainly the boudin balls! If you wanna try it out, I highly suggest their happy hour. It's small plates and bites with great drink specials. Overall the service is great and the ambiance is very intimate! read more

Dauphine’s - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great food, service and atmosphere. I've been twice. Once with pals and once with my significant other. The food is on point and the cocktails are nice. Good selection of beer on tap as well. Not too many places to get boudin balls so, nice option. read more

I had a reservation with my family for my first night in Washington and honestly I had been waiting in anticipation all week. I knew what I wanted at least four days in advance. When we arrived we were given the warmest greeting and we were brought to our table right away. We were seated in a private room that closed with a beautiful curtain. I felt like royalty. The restaurant is beautiful and filled with soul and good vibrations. You can really see and feel the essence of New Orleans through your dining experience. To start I ordered half a dozen of the Dancing Molly oysters and I got to try one of the clams. The oysters were satisfying and juicy, especially combined with the cocktail sauce, and mignonette. I had the steak tartare as my entree. The aioli really brought the dish together and the flavor/texture really hit the spot. I also had a taste of the duck jambalaya and the oyster spaghetti. Everything that I tried was delicious and cooked to perfection. The flavor, the quality of ingredients and the presentation was a combination of classy, elegant, and even lively all at the same time. For dessert I ordered a beignet and that was also delicious. Im surprised that I had never been here before but I know that this certainly won't be my last time. Our server Hunter was also really kind, helpful and really knew and experienced the food for himself so he knows what he's talking about especially when it comes to recommendations. If you're in DC and you're looking for delicious food with a classy feel, you need to come here. read more

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I visited Dauphines for dinner with colleagues to celebrate a successful conference. We had a great time enjoying good and a delightful atmosphere. Here are some of my takeaways. Environment The restaurant has a large and beautifully designed interior with a full bar and plenty of seating. I loved the versatile ambiance which makes it great for a variety occasions - whether it's dinner with friends, colleagues or a date night. The vibe was lovely and inviting. Service The service at at Dauphines was great. Our server was friendly, attentive and ensured we had everything we needed.The food and drinks were delivered promptly. Overall, the service was great. Food and drinks The food was truly enjoyable. I highly recommend staring with the bread service which includes buttermilk biscuits, baguettes & sweet potato brioches - all great. We also tried the BBQ shrimp which was pretty tasty. For the main dish, i had the crawfish stuffed chicken which was pretty good. To top it off, we had some delicious beignets with powder sugar that you sprinkle yourself. My meal was enjoyable and I Iook forward to returning to try more items on the menu. Overall Dauphines is a great choice for both drinks and food. I had a great meal and a great time with my colleagues. I will definitely be back to explore more of their menu. read more

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Dauphines has my heart! Started my trip in D.C. off with a bang having dinner at @dauphinesdc every dish was so fresh and flavorful. The marketing and branded materials were exquisite!! We had delicious cocktails and the best part was the pebble ice didn't dilute the drink and kept the glass frosty. My favorite dishes were the beef tartare and the tuna. The corn and salsa on the tuna really brought an extra flavor and texture depth I've never had before. It's a great spot for a date or dinner with friends. The staff were so attentive and friendly. A plus was they had really pretty menus and post cards the front desk can mail for you! If you're in the DC area definitely swing by for dinner! read more

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Very good food. Great Hurricanes and good service. The oysters were amazing. We tried all varieties available. We also had the fried frog legs which were very nicely seasoned thus very tasty. Also tried fried artichokes (very good), the gumbo (was a little more watery than I like but tasty), the stuffed shells were good but not amazing. The Brussels salad was yummy. Bread service was so good. Finally the beignets were ok. Needed more powdered sugar and needed to be fluffier. Overall very good dinner. Dinner was 350 (3 people). One ANNOYING thing: restaurant charged a 4% added rest. fee to the bill which does not go to the servers. I find that distasteful And one reason I would prob not return. read more

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3.5 stars We had a delightful time at Dauphine's, where Sunday brunch featured a live jazz band. The space is beautiful and has plenty of seating. We started with the lovely breadboard, which featured a delicious lemon poppy scone, banana bread, and two puff pastries. The banana bread was a standout! The crab cakes were too heavily breaded and arrived lukewarm. But on the bright side, my friend adored the cheesecake, and the chicory coffee was excellent. The prices were a bit high considering the food quality and portions, but the service was fantastic, and we thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant live music. read more

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Note: as other reviewers have noted, serving sizes are small and prices high comparatively for dc restaurants, especially bib gourmands which are usually on the cheaper side of eats. This place is a whole vibe and the food is amazing. The waiters were incredibly attentive and funny conversationalists. Their ambiance is well planned out and feels very creole. We had the duck confit with ricotta cavatelli, the pommes soufflé, and the Zucchini Squash tempura. The dishes had surprising flavor pairings that were divine. The Zucchini Squash tempura was really the stand out dish with crisp, not soggy, tempura breading and fresh blueberry and dill garnishes. We've determined we will have to come back to try the whole menu! Easily in my top three eats in DC. read more

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Who doesn't love Creole food?! A friend & I came on a Friday to finally give Dauphine's a try! It was very busy at 8pm so I'd suggest you make a reservation but the bar has ample seating in case you choose to walk in. The staff was amazing from the minute we walked in, to our waiter and everyone in between! Our server gave great suggestions but we had an idea of what we wanted prior to walking in. We split the Gumbo Ya Ya, Crab & Artichoke Dip (Unfortunately had to send back because it lacked crab), Oysters Dauphine (AMAZING!), Fried Boudin Balls, and Luck & Money Duck Leg Confit. Overall the food was good but it lacked spices - everything was mild and the flavors all meddled together. Also the serving sizes were very small making the value not worth it in my opinion. I can't say I'd recommend because it felt very overpriced and inauthentic from Creole cuisine. read more

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Went for brunch. My party ordered crab cake, eggs Benedict and steak hash. Everything was incredible. Served was knowledgeable and attentive. Incredible atmosphere. I can't wait to go back! read more

It was okay. I came during restaurant week and the entry I had was a 2/5. I wouldn't recommend it. I should have iniwb a better getting with bottom bottom-feeder fish but the way it was prepared and served didn't help at all. The fish was very fishy... in a bad way, and didn't taste like anything else. The tomato-based sauce was also unimpressive. My server who was very pleasant said that it was popular but I don't understand why. Everything else practically saved the meal the salad although it looked as was very good and had a nice blend of flavors. The bread service was also really good and the butter jam was amazing. The beignets were fine I've had better but after the boring entry, it was a better way to end the night. read more

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Dauphine's is a trendy restaurant and is a nice location for a happy hour or brunch. I am more partial to the drinks relative to the food but it is worth a visit. read more

This place is so good! I highly recommend it if you're in downtown DC and looking for a good meal. A few positives: - I planned a few work dinners here over the years and the staff were accommodating and there was ample space for the gathering each time. - Drinks are great and they offer awesome variety - Food is delicious and quality is great. Can be a little pricey however normal for the area. - cool ambiance and beautiful set up. Highly recommend for any work dinners or just standard dining. I would definitely come back. read more

Sunday is all day happy hour. We came on a whim and it was fantastic! Service was excellent, food was delicious, ambience was lively. Really enjoyed the crab dip and the branzino. read more

Lemme just start this off with, Aesthetics~ I've been here for dinner and that was a total vibe. The lighting y'all, so romantic and makes you want to have a cocktail in hand. I also just finished brunch and I can now say I haven't had a bad meal yet. You will drop a pretty penny to eat here though. If you're an oyster fan, they have a fabulous selection but just FYI 8 oysters = $30 ($3.75 each). For brunch, we started with the bread service. Totally worth it. The Quail was great but my boyfriend said he probably wouldn't get it again, especially for the the price of $33. The Yakamein and Niçoise salad are fabulous and honestly, both are the size of an entreé. Also, the service is fabulous. Mario was a total gem and patient with us as I was totally undecided on what to get for brunch lol. Finally, Sunday brunch = fabulous live jazz music read more

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Service, food, ambience all were superb;thus, the 5 stars rating. Although I was surprised they offered non traditional Nawlins fare, I will not deduct a point because the food was palatable! Yep, despite not quite the caliber of the best of Nola but hey, not having to fly out to Nola was a plus! I miss my first visit in April 2005, just before Katrina hit, it has not been the same since. I went back twice after Katrina to support businesses, it's just not the same. Still, I swore, despite NOLA's great food, place has dramatically changed...I mean, streets are uncleaned and the air thicken with that, ugh, smell... why do they have to make it legal(available) to all in the vicinity...I don't want it! So, therefore, this was my last Mardi Gras in Nola indeed! Unless something can compel me to come back to Nola, Dauphine is a quick fix in the interim... there, the 5 stars! My fave was the crab etouffe and scallops/shrimp creole! Beignet was okay but nothing like Cafe duMonde! read more

Dauphine’s - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Stupendous. Sat at the bar and the service was as attentive and not overbearing. While expensive, the food was really tasty. I like the oysters, but they were almost too buttery and with the horseradish and spinach the salinity was really overpowered. The catfish was delicious with just enough kick. The beignets were fresh and delicious, definitely add the bourbon milk shake to round out the desert. read more

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Mothers Day brunch visit. Had reservations inside for jazz brunch but opted to sit outside since weather was spectacular. They also have all day Sunday happy hour outside that included discounts on drinks and more food options also at a discount. Had a round of drinks that were good and we ordered eggs Benedict and from the happy hour menu: Cajun shrimp cocktail, fried oyster sliders, mini muffalata and house salad w pigs ears. Everything was really great and service was incredible. Will return and Sunday all day happy hour is great deal! read more

First off-the food was delicious-this is mainly about service. Arrived early for our Saturday night dinner reservation so decided to sit in the bar for HH drinks and appetizers. Had to flag someone down--ordered. Took 10min to get our glasses of sparkling. Waited another 20 minutes-flagged down the server again to ask about the appetizer--said it was coming. All in all-waited 30 minutes for it-had it thrown in front of me with no napkins, plates and it was like warm-- not hot. This should have been a sign to leave. Service got a little bit better-but had to ask for everything, remind them to get the bottle of wine kept on ice at the bar to refill our glasses and then waited another 30 min after dinner for dessert. Maybe a bad night-but for the price point--come on. read more

Quite literally the best restaurant in DC to remove yourself from the bustle of the White House and step yourself into a creole American experience. They're very much creole and New Orleans, but you can eat here and still tether yourself to traditional American cuisine. The oysters are fantastic, and they advise you well if you are unaccustomed. The best part of Dauphines is they have enough humility to meet you where you're at; if you want to try something new, try some oysters, try a new drink.... They're skilled enough to advise and provide a top tier experiences. The staff was also above and beyond and they need their flowers. They are 100% in their game and it's beautiful to see. read more

Dauphine's is a solid restaurant. Great ambiance, customer service, and of course, food. I appreciated and loved the many oyster options. They were so briny! For my entree, I had the skate. I don't know what I was thinking, but I would never order that fish again. The consistency was weird--not my cup of tea. My drink (forget the name) was really good; it packed a nice punch! Skate aside, I enjoyed Dauphine's, and would visit again. read more

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About a 2-2.5: Dauphine's comes from you from the same group that brought Salt Line; their cuisine is an inspiration from NOLA. We came here for dinner on a weekday, and we ordered: +Corn Bisque - with Louisiana crab claw salad and herb oil - this was creamy, and the truffle oil added another layer of taste +Oysters Dauphine - chargrilled oysters with spinach, horseradish, and pecorino; we were confused with this dish, as the oysters were not charred, and there didn't seem to be any pecorino? +Bread Service - with buttermilk biscuits, baguette, and sweet potato brioche, served with salted pepper jelly butter; these are not worth an order, as the breads were just stale and dried out For our entrees, we ordered: +the Shrimp Remoulade - prepared with red remoulade, iceberg slice, and gribiche; we were not fans of this as it tasted acidic; maybe from the ingredients used in the remoulade? +Scallop Creole - with Prairie Ronde rice grits and file; the scallops were a bit overcooked and rubbery +Oysters Spaghetti - with bucatini, green onions, and bread crumbs; this dish was creamy, but the oysters were a little too 'sea water' in taste +the Grilled Hangar Steak - with red cabbage, smashed garlic fingerling potatoes, and mustard seed butter; the steak was overcooked and not well-prepared +sides of red beans, pepper jelly carrots, braised collard greens, and pommes Dauphine Service was friendly and attentive. The restaurant is dim-lit, and I liked the interior wrap-around-like terrace. +friendly service read more

The ambiance was excellent, and the service was great. The restaurant was clean, and the lighting was beautiful. It also smelled amazing inside. We tried a few of their cocktails, and they were top quality. We only sat at the bar this time, so for us it was more like a cocktail bar experience -- but I'll definitely be coming back for a full meal. I really enjoyed it. read more

Dauphine’s - Cocktails - Seafood Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia