We ended up at Kinfolk for a last-minute brunch when our original spot had a long wait. This place had zero wait time, which made the decision easy--even if it wasn't our first choice. The highlight? Cheddar biscuits. Seriously amazing. Flaky, cheesy, and full of flavor--we liked them enough to take some home. That said, $28 for 8 biscuits (2 orders of 4 biscuits) feels steep, but if you're a biscuit fan, it's probably worth it. The rest of the experience was mixed. Vegetarian options were very limited, which was a bit of a letdown for my wife. The omelette was excellent--fluffy and perfectly cooked--but the hash fell short. Portion was small, and it lacked the zest and mouth feel of meat, hash and what little bit a creama was on the plate. I asked for a substitute for the white bread. Of any other type of bread I specified a type of wheat bread. The waitress said she would ask the kitchen. No response back. Meal comes out with the bread I did not want or ate. It appears substitutes are not possible. Drinks were just okay. No wine list (or at least none we saw), but there was a rotating beer of the day. I tried one of the mocktails, which just tasted like high priced juice--even though they used a non-alcoholic tequila. Service was average--not bad, not great. The overall vibe seemed to attract people avoiding the long waits at other nearby spots, which was definitely our case too. Kinfolk is good if you're in a pinch especially if you're at the wharf on a weekend morning. Brunch is pretty big deal in DC Kinfolk is not somewhere I'd go out of my way to return to--except maybe for those biscuits. read more

See all

As a pretty regular yelper, I'm very sad that I did not read Nessa's review of this place before we tried it. My son and I went to the Wharf for brunch. We, too, we're fooled by the name Kinfolk, and also expected someone's grandmother to be in the kitchen. 1. If you can't make breakfast, don't serve brunch. 2. Eggs are only scrambled? What? 3. Chicken, sausage, bacon, and brisket were absolutely fabulous. It is clear the person behind this restaurant knows how to make meat, but nothing else. 4. Hashbrowns were literally out of the freezer and put in the toaster oven. 5. Toast? 1/2 of one slice of white bread with no butter or jelly? We asked for butter and it came frozen. 6. This is not exclusive to this restaurant, but please, for goodness sake, put some salt and pepper on the table at least. 7. Our waiter was just that. He waited to be told to do anything like refill water or coffee. He was definitely not a server, and can use some better dental hygiene. Just saying. Bottom line is we paid a lot of money for pretty poor food. Meat was great. If you're only looking to order meat, give it a try. If you actually want breakfast, or brunch, I highly recommend you try somewhere else. read more

We walked in very hungry and our party of two was excited to be seated almost immediately even though they were super busy (around 2:45pm on a Sunday). We were seated on the patio and the weather was perfect which made everything even better. We ordered mocktails my friend had the berry flavored one and I had the mockarita which was so flavorful and spicy. We also had the wings (Korean bbq) and the Brussels sprouts as appetizers. Both were decent but were not the most delicious we've ever had. I had the fried catfish (it was panko fried) which is not southern so that was interesting but the sauces and garnishments made the flavor of the dish well rounded. My friend ordered the salmon with mash potatoes and charred broccoli and she loved it. Overall, our price tag was $156 total including at 22% tip. Pretty standard dinner pricing in DC at the Wharf. read more

See all

I stopped in here for happy hour on a weekday. I was greeted promptly by Aturo who was very kind and took time to learn everyone's name at the bar. he gave me recommendations based on the happy hour menu. I got the margarita. It was prompt and delicious. We ended up having a great conversations about bourbon and he told me about tequila and its aging process. It was a really pleasant experience. You could tell the bartenders and staff all really got along. It was so cool to see. I really enjoyed this experience and it got me out of the cold in the middle of the day. And able to enjoy the view from inside. Thanks Aturo for the excellent drink and the conversation! read more

See all

This place was such a disappointment. Visited for the first (and last) time today 5/2/2026. We ordered the cornbread as an appetizer, it was Alright, but not really worth $8.50. Our entrees were the Cajun shrimp pasta and the fried catfish. The $36 catfish didn't come with any sides so we added mac and cheese for $13. The Cajun shrimp pasta was so bland and came with 4 small Shrimp. There was NOTHING "Cajun" about it . No sauce, no seasoning no flavor. I sent it back. I ended up sharing my partner's entree which was just ok. $85 spent on one entree, a side and cornbread. What a waste. There are far too many options at the wharf to deal with mediocre food. read more

Love this place. What a great restaurant and a great location. Busy but not overly crowded or too loud. From start to finish the experience here was awesome. We were greeted with a smile at the door and taken to our table. Our server came to the table and was perfectly attentive. Now the food...yes. That's what we came for and all the plates were sooo good. Only got pics of the old fashioned, beef ribs, and crab cakes. However the apps (oysters, cornbread, and crab dip), plus the catfish and salmon were amazing as well. Seems like a place that does it all really well. Can't recommend enough. read more

See all

Im so glad we chose this spot for drinks and food before our show. The overall ambiance was chill, interior decorating beautiful and they had outdoor seating. Our server was super helpful, helped us pick out amazing cocktails and even recommended the amazing brussel sprouts! the drinks was hitting, food was hitting, and they had an amazing playlist ans it wasnt too loud in there. Will definitely be back! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

The ambiance is nice. Good customer service. The food was expensive for it to just be ok. I think you're paying for the location. It's not a bad spot, but probably not a place I'd revisit. They don't have large portion sizes and it's not extra tasty. The ribs were ok, but nothing to write home about. The biscuits were actually dry without the jelly they provided. The brussel sprouts were decent. Overall, just an ok experience. read more

See all

Despite the name and the branding, I wasn't the target audience...this is "southern inspired" food for gentrifiers. I was so excited to try the Halal Platter and while the presentation was excellent, the food was room temp - the platter needs to come out on cast iron or something to hold the temp. The fried chicken had zero flavor, the brisket was a miss, the beef ribs were fine but the sauce was odd - we were given a bottle of something that looked like Carolina BBQ, but it wasn't. The tandoori didn't scream 100 year Desi family recipe, but was flavorful and the chicken sausage put me in mind of a resham kabab with a casing. I also excitedly ordered the catfish - that was a miss; Cracker Barrel does a better job. The calamari was good but not hot, the oysters were fresh but tiny. My son said the Sprite was better than the "Kissed By the Sun" mocktail. The mac and cheese was HORRIBLE (I should've known better when I saw panko in the description, but I thought I was among kinfolk and they were doing something interesting) the collards tasted like they were cooked in salty chicken broth and were virtually inedible. After the experience I looked a little further because I had been under the impression this was a Black owned/operated restaurant, but that food indicates that they don't even have a Black person in the kitchen washing dishes. I felt bamboozled because the branding approaches cultural appropriation yet it doesn't seem their "skilled chefs" have a clue about southern cooking. Needless to say i won't be back, in fact, I'll stick with the Philadelphia food scene because frankly DC is not worth the 2 hour drive from Delaware due to things outside of this restaurant's control - the parking was horrendous - all of the garages were full and we eventually found a garage within a 10 minute walk. The 4% surcharge is ridiculous, the 20% service charge feels like a scam, especially when an additional tip is requested after the card is run, and the 10% DC State Tax is not just on the F&B, it's also on the charges. There were other restaurants on my list to try, but I'll stay north of the Mason Dixon. read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Halal Platter - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food was delicious!! The pastrami sandwich was so yummy! Our server, Kenvin, was outstanding!!!! He was very attentive throughout the entire time we were at the restaurant. He went above and beyond and we greatly appreciate his pleasant attitude. We are from out of state and he has left a lasting impression on us. Thank you!!! read more

Our first time at Kinfolk at the Wharf! Interior ambiance is very lively and modern feeling with the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the wharf and water. Service was excellent and attentive as expected. We decided to start off with crab dip and burnt ends. Crab dip was super creamy and warm and gooey and we definitely needed more pita chips. Burnt ends were very nice small morsels of beef brisket with onions and pickles to cut the grease. And then we got the full size beef brisket and gumbo. The portion size was massive! We definitely needed boxes but it was super moist and tender and we got more of the onions and pickles to cut the grease. I wish we had more options for different sides, though. The gumbo was very nice too with the andouille sausage and rice. Entrees were on the pricey side, though and we had limited options to get different small sides. Overall a nice experience. read more

See all

Luis was very nice and attentive the food was good too. Location is clean and view is nice

I think when they say "Southern Kitchen," they're referring to the motif and not necessarily the menu. The atmosphere and service were great but the food was not, especially for the price. The best thing we had was the jerk wing appetizer, but since when is jerk chicken a southern dish? The burnt ends are not burnt ends, they're just cut up brisket pieces. JMHO...It's not a restaurant you go to, it's more like a restaurant where you end up. read more

See all

The food here was good, I would give it a solid 8 of 10. The atmosphere was a good 8 out of 10, the service was about the same too. It's a a nice place overall so come check it out read more

See all

The restaurant's ambiance and location, which truly set a positive initial tone. Regrettably, these initial excellent impressions were not sustained throughout our dining experience. Our party ordered the Whole Chicken platter, with a side of dirty rice, mac & cheese, and cornbread. Once it arrived I was missing a side and a piece of chicken. Once we notified the server he corrected the error. After a considerable wait our meal finally arrived and we had to stop random workers for refills. Overpriced subpar food, small portion sizes, and and poor service for $160 was extremely disappointing. For those truly seeking an authentic, satisfying 'soul food from your kinfolk' experience - characterized by great service, flavorful dishes, and generous portions - I would strongly recommend exploring Oohh's & Aahh's in Washington D.C., where the culinary promise is authentically delivered. read more

I've eaten here a couple times and it's always been good. Recently I tried the burnt ends and they were tender and tangy. The restaurant is a large space with a bar area, easy to find a seat as a walk-in. read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So we are up for the Commanders game. Great place to hang and watch some football on a Sunday. Carlisle was a great server. Thank you!! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Our view - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Brussels sprouts are a must try even if you've never liked the veggie before. These will change your mind! Crab cakes were yummy. Gumbo is not a Louisiana nor Texan style...more tomato and less traditional rue. The music and ambiance were too notch. We sat by the window and could see the water and people walking around. It's a must visit! read more

See all

I ate at Kinfolk kitchen on 7/19/26. The food was authentic southern and the service was good. We had the burnt ends which were cooked perfectly, the Brussel sprouts had just the right amount of crunch and the Mac and cheese was excellent. However, the cornbread was tiny. It was hardly enough for two people let alone, 5. I expected more for $8.50 worth of bread. I ordered the chicken gumbo and the waiter warned me it was going to be spicy. I loved it. The collard greens were slightly undercooked but had great flavor. My friends had the fried chicken, pastrami and brisket. The pastrami was a little overly salty but we all enjoyed our food. Then the bill came. I had ordered a bourbon with one rock. I was charged $3.00 for a piece of ice!!! I called the waiter over and asked about the charge. He said we charge extra for one rock. I said , you charge $3.00 for an ice cube ? That's ridiculous. And further more you didn't tell me it was extra. If I had known that I would have asked for regular ice. He said that he would talk to the manager. He came back a few minutes later and told me that the manger would remove the charge but I should be aware that most restaurants have an extra charge for large rocks. I'm sorry but in all my years of drinking bourbon I have NEVER been charged for frozen water. It left a really bad impression on me and took away from the overall evening. Had that not happened I would have given 5 stars. read more

Kenven was amazing! the fried chicken and steak with fries were a 10. The drinks and vibes were so on point. I enjoyed this restaurant so much along with the service. read more

Came here om a saturday night. Had a 7:30pm reservation for 3. We ordered a couple mocktails and ice tea. For dimmer we ordered the salmon, mac n cheese, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and the steak frites. The food was just ok, it wasnt bad but wasnt that good either. It lacked a lot of flavor. For the dessert we had the biscoff tiramisu. It was just ok as well. read more

See all

Went down to the wharf and needed a bit to eat. Looked at the options and settled on Kinfolk. What an amazing decision. My wife and I sat at the bar while we waited on some friends. We started with appetizers. The server recommended the smoked wings and my wife got the cornbread. The wings were DELICIOUS!!! Dry rub was great. They were well seasoned and the chicken fell off the bone. The cornbread was a good size and hot. For entrees I ordered the steak frites and my wife ordered the crab cake sandwich with rice. The steak was JUICY, SEASONED, and TENDER. The steak was also cooked at the right temperature and was gone in a matter of minutes. The French fries were also seasoned well and delicious. My food was gone in less than 10 minutes. The crab cake sandwich was large and my wife could barely finish. Service was excellent. The drinks were delicious and juicy. It was so good my wife ordered two. Overall this was a great experience and I'll definitely be back. Thanks again read more

See all

Everything was delicious. Mumbo smoked wings were tender and juicy, gumbo was delicious and a good portion size. Cheddar bread was a great app and Brussels a yummy side. Server was very nice and they accommodated us on a Saturday night without a reservation. Will be going back! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Kinfolk Smoked Wings Brussels Sprouts - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really hit the spot. 4.7/5. The burnt ends, I will dream about those burnt ends, so good! The cheesy biscuits hit the spot. The smash burger was juicy and flavorful. The fries has a slight vinegar tang to them that wasn't my cup of tea, but still pleasant. The macaroni was flavorful, but the sauce was a little too runny for my tastes. The cups they use for drinks are really small, so it's like 3-4 sips before you're empty, but our waitress was really good about quick refills. Waitress Lindsey was incredibly nice! Overall I had a really good time. And I want more of those burnt ends! read more

See all

Hush puppies were not great. But I did like the brussels sprouts. The oysters were also ok but Espresso martini was good! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Oysters - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

It was extremely difficult to find parking. None of the nearby garages were free. After 39 minutes we ended up parking about a 15 minute walk away. The customer service was great. The atmosphere was charming and enigmatic. The food was just ok to me. It seemed like there was some layer of flavor missing from everything. The brisket was tender but not that seasoned. The burnt ends were cooked well but mostly had the bbq taste. The cheddar cheese biscuits needed some additional seasoning. The dirty rice was def a winner. That was very very good. If I was to go back to try anything it would be for the rice. read more

See all

Man o man! 100/10 food and service, I will return soon. The gumbo and the blue catfish were outstanding. Flavor, temperature and presentation were perfect. The restaurant is busy, but the food comes out fast. read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Gumbo and Fried Blue Catfish - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had came to the wharf for a concert at the anthem and stopped by for a meal beforehand. Our server Jose was very kind and knowledgeable, and he was able to provide reccomendations around my dietary restrictions. Great place! read more

Very torn about this place. Came here recently on spring break as we were staying in the area. Getting in to check in for our reservation took about 10 minutes, there was a line out the door. Normally I would take this as a good sign (a lot of people want to eat here) but it seemed like the staff was just overwhelmed. We were sat and after about 15 minutes our waiter took our order and drinks took about 10 minutes, our app was about 10 minutes later. We did not get entrees until one hour later. They did check on us and we were seated right in front of the kitchen, they seemed to be struggling. The food was solid, the cheddar biscuits were excellent and paired with a delicious spicy pepper jelly. Kids portions were huge, my kids liked the pizza and chicken tenders. I ordered the gumbo which was very tasty, but it was a shockingly small portion for $25, I think there were only about 4 tablespoons of rice in the dish. My husband got a half rack of ribs which he liked, but also at $40 if felt too pricey. I'd skip the cocktails they have on tap, my husband and I each got a different one and both were very sweet. I just think the prices and level of service are severely mismatched. I will say this restaurant did seem consistent with other places on the wharf that were family friendly, so maybe we just aren't the target demographic here. read more

The ambiance was tea! Live, well lit, noise level was acceptable - it was jumping! The food was great as well, beautiful presentation and served hot, with little wait time. Now, the service.... Hmmmm... our server came to the table twice, without us having to flag him down. We had to ask for drink refills, water, extra napkins, and anything else we needed, outside of our order and the check. While it was busy, he could have done better! He just didn't. Because I was with my Sorors and we make our own good time, but the service was certainly a downer. After paying $7.00 for a glass of iced tea (everything else was pricey too), we deserved better - especially with a mandatory 20% tip! Do better Kinfolk! read more

See all

Rating this high because the staff was great with us from the hostess to the waiter! We were seated near The Wharf so had a great view to people watch. Our waiter recommended the cornbread and biscuits which if they come out warm, they're pretty good (as they cooled, they were a bit dry.) My husband grabbed the shrimp and grits, which were okay (but our chef- friend's shrimp and grits is amazing so we're pretty biased). My mom wasn't hungry so grabbed the shrimp cocktail which she enjoyed. I got the tandoori chicken, which needed more flavor but the smoke was good. Good location, cute decor, great interactions we had with the staff, food was okay. Would go back for light bites and drinks if we're in the area again read more

See all

Great food and even better staff. Even though they were busy the staff took time out to chat and make suggestions. Loved the atmosphere.

Went to Kinfolk over Memorial Day weekend for a hangover cure type of brunch. DC likes to position themselves as a southern city but I am someone who visits from the Carolinas who is often somewhat wary. I got the cheddar biscuits and gravy with a side of breakfast potatoes while my sisters split the bananas foster French toast with a side of fries. Both were delicious and I often found myself sneaking bites of the French toast. I really enjoyed the chicken sausage. I wasn't quite sure about the gravy being served on top of each of the biscuits, but it really added to the overall flavor. Would definitely recommend! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Brunch offerings - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Tasty Southern food and BBQ with a friendly staff that did a great job accommodating us. We came here with 7 people (3 kids under 9) and the kids enjoyed the kids menu while also sharing from the Family Platter. If you have 4 or more people, we highly recommend the Family Platter as it not only has a lot of food and great selection, but also is very economical. While a little pricey overall, the food and drinks are good and it's in a great location on the wharf. They have outdoor seating as well for great wharf watching as people head to the nearby Anthem or other activities. read more

The last time I visited the SW wharf the price I paid for parking was more than what I paid for my food so I haven't visited in a while. I joined a few friends and their kids for Sunday brunch. We decided to drive one car to limit how much we spent on parking. When we entered the restaurant it was very bright with lots of TVs. The restaurant was not crowded and we were seated immediately. Loved that I could watch the games from my seat. Our server arrived promptly and did a great job of making suggestions for drinks and food since it was our first time there. We all enjoyed our food, including the kids. I wish I could say that I'd be back soon, but unfortunately, the price of parking is ridiculous at the wharf and I'd prefer to spend my money on other things. Maybe the next time I'm thinking about going down to the wharf, I'll call the restaurant in advance to see if they validate for parking. read more

See all

Food amazing and Kenvin our server equally amazing!!!!!! Restaurant was beautiful and loved the ambiance!!! read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Birthday dinner for my hubby!!!! - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great location, great scenery, and great layout. Staff was solid, food was decent, and was an average experience. Food doesn't come sides, which you have to order separate. Waiter wasn't well informed on food items and didn't seem to care about being able to properly articulate what was in each item. Food was also a bit expensive. I guess you're paying for the location and view. Don't think I'll be going back. read more

See all

I really wanted to like Kinfolk Southern Kitchen. I mean, the name alone gives you hope. "Kinfolk" and "Southern Kitchen"? Sounds like you're about to get hugged by a biscuit and baptized in gravy. Instead, I left feeling like I'd just eaten at three different airport restaurants at once, none of which specialize in flavor. Let's start with the biscuits..you only get 2. Totally not missing the mark, because they never found it to begin with. Dry, bland, and cheddar in theory only. If a Popeye's biscuit and a Red Lobster biscuit had a baby and then ignored it emotionally, it would taste like this. Mac and cheese? I wouldn't even serve it at a potluck I hated. Unseasoned noodles in a vaguely yellow sauce. How do you mess up mac and cheese? It's the Beyoncé of comfort food. This version? Background extra energy. The oysters were not fresh. I should've known better, but I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt. Never again. Everything else tasted like it was a suggestion of flavor, right down to the broccoli, which was somehow both overcooked and under-loved. Now, the fries? They slapped. But then again, fries are the default setting of food. If you mess up fries, you probably shouldn't be in food service. I ordered two cocktails. Neither were available. The kicker? It took a full hour to find that out. First drink? Unavailable. That took 30 minutes. Second drink? Also unavailable. Another 30 minutes. I would've been less thirsty waiting at the DMV. That said, shoutout to our waiter. They actually tried and communicated well. So two stars for them and the fries. The rest? I rebuke it. And let's talk identity crisis. When I looked around our table, it was like we were each in a different Yelp review. My uncle had fish, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. I had oysters and cheddar biscuits. My friend had brisket. The brisket was not seasoned, not tender, and just painfully average. We were seated at the same table, but we were spiritually in three different restaurants. Southern cuisine? This ain't it. It felt more like Pantry Roulette. Overall, I don't get the hype. I really don't like the fact that they're banking on the name "Kinfolk Southern Kitchen" to pander to a certain demographic. The vibe feels like someone Googled "Southern food" and said, "Perfect. We'll do everything but flavor." I give 2 stars for the service and the service alone, otherwise this would be a 1-star restaurant. Don't let the name fool you. This isn't Southern hospitality. It's Southern confusion. read more

See all

The food is was decent here. I think my expectations were a bit different because it was a southern kitchen. Sat at the bar and the service was wonderful, very attentive staff. The drink was strong and flavored just right. Establishment is at the Wharf so the environment is 10/10. read more

Kinfolk Southern Kitchen - Smoked chicken sausage, Mac & cheese - Southern Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

We made our reservation the day of and are glad we did. Visiting from out of town, and we were unaware of the Boat Parade and great restaurant pick with a view of the water. The downside, you can't see the people through the people. I started with a kinfolk martini, and it was a hit for me as I prefer a tequila espresso martini. The cheddar bay biscuits were a 10/10! I had the catfish and it was okay. I'd give a 3/5 and I ordered a side of fries. To the young gentleman that sat us, he was a delight. Our waiter, Keanua, I am showing grace. Because the restaurant was busy so I understand the stress around it. He was moving quickly, so fast, I wasn't done ordering at one point, and he was already halfway across the restaurant . I appreciate him though trying to get to all his guests but you can slow down at least 5 seconds. read more

See all