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    Kingbird

    3.6 (358 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM - 2:00 pm, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Kingbird Photos

    KINGBIRD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Upscale
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Kingbird

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    Reviews With Photos

    Brittany W.

    We went for afternoon tea to celebrate my birthday and it was absolutely perfect! Everything was amazing, including the service. The only thing we didn't eat was the chicken liver cannoli - personally it wasn't for me. We had bourbon chai tea and the jardin bleu, which was amazing. Thank you Kingbird for making my special day one of a kind.

    Two Hennessy sidecars
    Dee A.

    We came around 4pm on a Friday. Kingbird restaurant doesn't open up officially until 5pm so we sat at the bar. The bartender Teddy was very efficient with creating masterpieces at the bar!! Please ask for Teddy! It's so cute in here! It's very modern and artsy. There are igloos outside that are likely very nice, but I didn't partake due to to freezing weather. We did not stay for dinner. It was my bf's birthday so Teddy surprised him with a birthday song and dessert!

    Artisan Cheese Plate.
    Emma G.

    ***3 1/2 stars*** What a bucket list afternoon. Kingbird was the first stop on an epic Washington DC inauguration weekend adventure, entirely because of where it was located - without getting too far into the political weeds, I'm a big Nixon fan so the Watergate had to be visited at some point, even given that it began a two-year descent into executive privilege madness. Anyway. The historic context was really all I knew about Watergate, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out that it's also a legit bougie 5-star hotel; my top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality was in her element. We were warmly greeted by roughly five or six staffers before making our way to Kingbird, which wasn't too far from the main entrance. Aside from the gorgeous logo featuring a bird wearing a top hat, Kingbird's interior looks like a lot of other hotel bar/restaurants (not a negative). Since it's a higher-end lodging, the decorative scheme reflects that. We weren't sure where the day was going to take us so we opted to sit at the bar for a light bite and drinks. I will say this - I don't think it would matter who was getting inaugurated, but on a weekend like this, it was PRIMO people watching. I had to remind my chum not to make eye contact with the guy two seats down nervously cradling seven spiral notebooks. Wild times. We both ended up getting Arancia Viales, which featured bourbon and an emphasis on orange. Very well made. The drinks came with a strip of bacon as part of the garnish, which I think they should have made reference to on the menu since my chum doesn't eat pork (no matter - I took one for the team). I didn't really see a reason to have it on there, honestly - it came off as gimmicky and didn't add anything to either the taste or presentation. On the other hand, the second garnish (a flower) DID; the floral scent complemented the drink perfectly, making the bacon inclusion all the more mystifying. I was SUPER tepid on the cheese plate we got, which is usually a safe, go-to for me. On a personal palate level, I wasn't crazy about the dark bread having nuts and/or berries in it, especially when you have so much other activity happening on the plate - you don't need to add to it with the bread. The bread should balance everything, not create the drama. I'm always thrilled to see honeycomb on these plates, which is in my opinion the most underrated charcuterie/cheese board item. Every place should have it. The cheeses themselves though were good, and represented a variety of flavors. Unsurprisingly, the star of the show was the service. Hospitality was in abundance (I'm sure it helped we were sitting in the metaphorical catbird seat aka the bar), and there was never a moment where we weren't able to be immediately assisted if the need presented itself. Top-level all the way around. As hotel bars go, this honestly wasn't that memorable - the Watergate itself was really the selling point. I'd come back for a drink or two, but with so many other options in the area I'm more likely to just sneak back into the building for a "I Stole This From the Watergate Hotel" pen next time I'm in town.

    Kenneth W.

    It has been almost a year since we dined at the Kingbird. We were delighted to reconnect. The menu changes seasonally and is always an exploration. Our server was Omar who we had met a few years ago. He is very knowledgeable, helpful, without being obtrusive. We were also greeted by Kate, Miguel, and Henry. It is reassuring and impressive that the Kingbird maintains consistent staff. It always feels like family when we dine with them. A unique combination of flavors and textures Tuscan Garmugia Soup peas, fava beans, pancetta, beef Beautiful presentation and flavors Black Angus Beef Carpaccio garlic aioli, arugula, parmigiano reggiano, grissini A favorite worth having again and again Cioppino saffron tomato broth, sea bass, prawns, mussels, fennel Beautiful delicious dessert Tropical Coconut pineapple passion fruit and mango compote, coconut almond sponge Amazingly different cocktail Arancia Viale wagyu fat washed bourbon, amaro noino infused orange, rhinomato, freshly squeezed lime juice, orange bitters

    Menu cover
    Amanda T.

    Update 31 March 2025: Attended an event with a michelin star rated chef at Kingbird and it was awesome. The meal was omakase style with wine pairing and so delicious. The small intimate setting was fun. We were able to talk to other guests, servers and the chef as well. The experience was well worth the cost and the partnership brought another level to Kingbird. I would definitely come back to Kingbird for dinner. Maybe even try out a snow globe rental in the winter. Thanks for a great experience!

    Pork belly appetizer
    Rebecca H.

    This restaurant is in the Watergate hotel. I came here to eat before an event and the food was great. I enjoyed the pork belly appetizer and the fish was delicious. The truffle fries were tasty too. The old fashioned cocktail was good and I liked how the ice cube was stamped. The restaurant had a futuristic vibe and the service was great.

    Afternoon tea
    Clara S.

    We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday. We all ordered the afternoon tea (high tea, as we also had champagne), and it was definitely a great experience overall! First off, the vibe was great-- everything was modern and airy, and the view of the river was a great touch. Service was good too-- we just wished the champagne turnover speed was a bit faster, but we really liked how everyone was super knowledgeable about the different tea options! As for the afternoon tea set, it was super filling. Be ready to ask for a take out box, as we were too full by the time we were eating the scones! I really enjoyed the salmon sandwich, scones, and dessert options. The tea, however, was so so. I got the l'oriental green tea, which was light and nice, but nothing too special. I've seen better tea options at the other afternoon tea places I've been (Ritz London, TWG Singapore), but that could just be a personal preference. Overall, I'd definitely come back for a nice date or a special occasion!

    Amber G.

    We had the absolutely best experience. The food was amazing. The service from Brian was phenomenal. The Prosecco was great. Overall it was an amazing high tea. I cannot recommend it enough.

    Honey, Peaches & Cream
    John B.

    Kingbird is a nice restaurant inside the Watergate. It's a good option if you want higher-end dining (with a price to go with that...) before a show at the Kennedy Center. They had a three-course prix fixe menu the night we went and I'd recommend that if you go. We started with Quilt, a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley that was worth it. For our three courses, we had Grilled Kale Caesar, Pasta Carbonara and Black Forest Tart, and Shrimp Cocktail, Salmon, and Honey, Peaches & Cream. These can be had as individual items off the regular menu but is more reasonable when offered as a prix fixe.

    Stephaney S.

    First I will say the esthetic was super pleasing, great for pictures, date night, low key birthdays. The service was good in the sense that food and drinks came out super fast but the server was not super friendly and it felt like he was rushing us out. The food was beautifully plated but very underwhelming. The food was not seasoned at all and I had to add my own. Overall an okay experience but I expected better because the hotel name attached to it.

    Jb H.

    Great food. Amazing service. Elegant Atmosphere. The steaks were the best in town!! Would absolutely recommend! The food/drink presentation TOP NOTCH! ***BEST Shirley Temple's in town!!! According to my teenage experts!***

    Cornflake Crusted French Toast
    Dan M.

    This was a restaurant that was part of the Watergate hotel. It was a decent size spot with a bar present as well. The staff was very accommodating as they gave us complimentary fruit and pastries to go along with what we ordered. The prices are a little much but expected at a place like this. I had the cornflake crusted French toast ($21). It was brioche bread with a bananas foster sauce and Chantilly. This was not too bad. There was not enough sauce present as it just seemed to be a bunch of bananas. It was a little dry overall, but I liked the way it was cooked. The Chantilly enhanced the dish regardless. I also tried the chicken and waffles, which was something I would order again. The waffle was fluffy, and the chicken was cooked to perfection. There was also a little hint of hot sauce in the chicken which was a nice touch. The fruit platter was fresh and tasted good too. I did not have any pastries. Will I go back? Probably.

    Braised Rabbit Cavatelli 4/10 Pommes Purée 8/10

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    2 months ago

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    Fantastic salmon. Three delicious oak barrel aged cocktails. The squash soup served in a squash was delish and unique.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Kingbird Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Kingbird

    Is there a dress code?

    No there is not. I would say it's more than casual though.

    I'm in DC next week and want to meet a friend for drinks before heading to the Kennedy Center for an event. Would Kingbird be a great drink spot? Is there plenty of bar seating or do I need a reservation?

    Yes, King bar is a good option. No need for reservations if you plan to sit at the bar. If you want drinks and light bites, you can make a reservation just so you don't have to wait for a table if its a busy night. But definitely not necessary.

    Is this restaurant located on the lobby level? I've been to the bar on that level, but not sure where the restaurant is?

    The restaurant is downstairs from the lobby level. There are stairs you take down past the lobby.

    What is the current Summer $52 Pre Fixe Pre-Theater Dinner ?? No menus online

    How do I make a reservation?

    I used OpenTable!

    Hi! I will be bringing my husband for dinner to celebrate his Bday, any advice on how to make his…

    Go somewhere else. This place is sadly a disappointment when it comes to special occasions. We've given them two opportunities to handle our family's special events. Last year, our Christmas Eve dinner in the (now closed) Backroom was ruined by the… 

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    High quality elevated diner food at a reasonable price in DC. Brunch is an option every day before…read more3:45PM. Recommend the corned beef hash. Big chunks of meat, potato with roasted onions and celery, all with a black pepper gravy. Comes with two sunny-side eggs. You will be stuffed. Biscuits are great too. Coffee is solid. Reservations by Resy. Online ordering here https://order.online/store/unconventional-diner-washington-295238

    True to its name, Unconventional Diner is not your average brunch spot - it delivers on fun and…read moreunique dishes (available until 3:45pm). The Tikka dish with fried egg was tasty, but wish paneer or larger protein option was built-in (not an upcharge)! The creamy red Tikka curry sauce, caramelized onions, crispy brussel sprouts, and fried ere tasty and paired well, the dish felt incomplete and something was missing, maybe some paneer or naan? I paid $5 for a side of zesty naan topped with different spices and really wish it came with the dish just came with it. While I was tempted to order the falafel, I couldn't justify shelling out another $5 for another upcharge and spend $10 on them for a total of $26 for just an entree - when these 2 upcharges should have been included in the entree by default. Wish there were more fun vegetarian dishes on the menu. Might come back for drinks and to explore the menu!

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    Duke's Grocery - The Proper Burger - fully loaded with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Smashed Avocado and Runny Egg!

    Duke's Grocery

    3.9(439 reviews)
    0.5 miFoggy Bottom
    $$

    On the hunt for the best Burger in DC. Not only was it the best in DC, it's the best I've ever had…read moreand I've travelled to all 50 States. Walked in and seated at the bar right away. Novice was the bartender and recommended the Proper burger. I added my typical fries and a Diet Coke. The burger came out quickly. Right off the bat, it's visually amazing. A properly stacked Burger is hard to find. The 2 best things about this burger are 1. The taste , and 2. The form of the burger. The taste is absolutely fantastic. The Gouda paired perfectly with the red onions and the perfectly cooked, juicy beef patties. The aioli was just enough and not overbearing, like looking at a painting of a castle and noticing the subtle blurred background of misty forest. The arugula added another layer of flavor that helped kick this burger into the highest echelons of Burger superiority. And of course, the brioche bun was perfect for this style of burger. It kept its shape while I gently smushed it down in my hands. The entire burger kept its shape and didn't fall apart like some other Burgers will. As I sank my teeth into the first bite, the first thing I noticed was all the flavors blending together. Each bite afterwards just added to my mystified and puzzled bewilderment. The texture was moist and soft. As I chewed and swallowed each morsel, I began to think to myself, is this it? Is my search over? Is this the BEST burger in the country? Never had I tasted such a wonderful burger! (Sorry In-N-Out 2x1, raw onions, chopped chilis, toasted bun, you are no longer on the top of my list). As I neared completion of my newly discovered epitome of gluttonous desires, a feeling of sadness started to take over. I would be done with the burger in a few more bites, and with that, my journey would conclude. I sat there, staring at what would be my final bite. The last bit of pleasure in between my slender fingers, still dripping with the juices God had placed there after it was grilled to perfection in the Kitchen. I placed the final delectable piece into my mouth. I spent what felt like an eternity chewing this treasure before finally gulping down the goblet of wonder. What came after was a feeling of pure bliss. I had finally done it. All the years, all the time dedicated to finding the best Burger ever, is complete. I called my wife and told her "Honey, it's time. I'm coming home." The fries were ok.

    We had a nice and quick dine-in experience for lunch. It was Take Your Child to Work Day and I…read moredidn't even know they had a kid's menu! Buttered pasta for the win hah. I had a burger and fries and both were tasty! It was slow service but once we got our food it was quick to get our check. Decor was cute and cherry-blossom-themed for a DC spring.

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    Duke's Grocery - Tons of cocktail options!

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    Kingbird - breakfast_brunch - Updated August 2026

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