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    La Vie

    3.9 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Recommended Reviews - La Vie

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    Passionfruit Sorbet
    Leslie S.

    Went on an impromptu date night at La Vie on a Friday night during restaurant week, and it was purely magical. Firstly, the staff is so attentive and friendly, one of the best in the city. Secondly, the food and drinks were absolutely scrumptious. Bursting Mediterranean flavors! Thirdly, the ambiance was out of this world. The night was so special and we enjoyed every bit. Thanks for creating such an amazing oasis of flavors, comfort, and aesthetics!

    Short rib hash.
    Candace M.

    Very pretty spot to eat Sunday brunch! I loved the decorations. FLOWERS! FLOWERS!! FLOWERS!!! If you're looking for a spot where you can show off for The Gram, this is it. As for the food, it was good but just shy of great. I had the short rib hash. I thought the beef would be more shredded but it was in chunks. It was more like pot roast than short ribs. And my portion needed some salt. They treated my friend well for her birthday with the very nice treat. I'm withholding a star for the service . It was friendly but so slow. I still think it's worth your time.

    Ha N.

    Ambiance: large dining area with views overlooking the Dc Wharf. Service: great service. Very attentive servers. Food: amazing self serve bar for brunch. There were shrimp cocktail, oysters, lamb, brisket, Cesar salad, tarts, etc. You also can order other dishes for the table. The brunch was $69 and $29 for unlimited mimosa. I would say it's pricey but the food was incredible! The shrimp cocktail and sauce was the best I've had. I was so happy for the oysters, too. I really wished I could have ate more. We ordered crepes, Mac & cheese, fries, French toast. Chicken and waffles. Very impressed with this restaurant!

    Chicken & Waffles, Jalapeño Popper
    Jorden K.

    Tbh, this is one of the best places I've ever eaten at! Let's start out with the service! The service was amazing! Juan & Will made sure our bottomless mimosas were truly bottomless, our plates were never empty on the table, and that they were attentive to our needs! The view from our seats over looking the wharf was amazing and the overall decor just added to the experience. The buffet plus the family style plates that come to the table had a good variety and everything was tasty. We had a group of 10 and it was such a seamless experience. I'm upset I don't have more pictures because the ones I do have are only the surface.

    Taj M.

    Happy hour. Decent prices and lasts until 7pm. It's a very high end place and normal SW DC residents can't really afford it. Last time I dined at La Vie, was when I proposed to my wife in 2019. It was an amazing expirenced and very special occasion (for me) with amazing food and customer service. Our expirence at HH today was no different. We had a group of 5 and sat that the bar. The drinks and food HH specials are decently priced. The same quality you would receive if it weren't HH. Very friendly, attentive, polite. Just seemed like an all around nice guy and. True professional. It was impressive just watching him craft cocktails. Marvin was our server and gave us complimentary tasting of the "Marvin Margaritas" his own made up concoction of Passion fruit juice margarita. It was exquisite! We were all pleasantly surprised for the complementary tasting. But more surprised as how good it tasted. Hands down one of the best margaritas I had ever tasted. This should be on the main drinks menu. (Marvin's true calling is a mixologist) We were a small group of people and just did appetizers and cocktails. We really enjoyed catching up. But the way Marvin treated us middle class customers, He makes you feel like you are a VIP! He just scored 5 loyal customers and I plan on visiting him again at HH on Tuesdays when my schedule permits. La Vie is truly high end, the decor, the amazing views, the service and the food and beverages! The place is immaculate. If you or your friend like to take selfies, this restaurant is full of amazing backgrounds, from the windows overlooking the wharf to the hallways.

    My crew...
    Joy O.

    Listen... I was being extra for my birthday and I have zero regrets. I booked two igloo experiences at The Wharf. The first one was the appetizer, and La Vie was the main entrée!!! Now let me be honest. The igloos were cute. Very cute. The setup was definitely giving "everybody grab your phone because the content is content-ing." But after experiencing an absolutely AMAZING igloo in Maryland the year before, this one didn't quite gag me the way I expected. The aesthetic was there, but the wow factor was missing. Thankfully, my friends and I showed up in full Mob Wives/Real Housewives of the DMV mode and brought our own entertainment. Fur, glam, attitude, and enough photos to make our storage cry for help. The service? No complaints. The staff treated us like VIPs all night, checked on us constantly, and even let us stay in the igloo a little longer. Love that for us. Now let's talk about the food because HONEY... THAT was the star of the show. Every single person at the table was obsessed with their meal. The food came out looking good and actually tasted good too, which is not always guaranteed at pretty places. We were passing plates, taking bites off each other's forks, and making those little "mmm" noises all night. Honestly, I would've stayed longer, but Mother Nature had other plans. We were literally dining in the middle of a snowstorm brewing over DC. The views were beautiful, the food was hitting, the service was solid, and the birthday vibes were immaculate. Would I come back? Absolutely. The igloo didn't completely eat the way I wanted it to, but the food sure did.

    Happy Mother's Day !!!
    Joseph B.

    La Vie is literally "The Life" of the party in the restaurant world !! The atmosphere is extremely vibrant and the staff is on point in a very energetic way. I was totally impressed with the entire experience at La Vie. I kicked things off with a dozen of oysters ( smallish for the price ) and a Ferrari cocktail that was definitely one of the best drinks I ever had in a restaurant setting. After that I dived into a super tasty Branzino complemented by a side of whipped potatoes... the branzino was flaky, with a sauce that gave it a nice boost !!! ( scrumptious ) With that said, the highlight of the night came at the very end.... The cotton candy ice cream on top of a fudge style chocolate cake was the perfect curtain call !!! And the fire display gave it a broadway show entrance.... I would literally go back just for absolutely out of this world dessert !!! ** Still trying to figure out exactly how a service charge differs from a tip ? Yes I understand what is being relayed... but it definitely felt like I was double tipping in real time !!!**

    Ambiance; La Vie has is beautifully designed far as decor Comfy seating - however we asked for the pink velvet seat area for our party of 6 and Brenda said she was holding it for a party of 9. Well we spent $800 that evening and noticed the party of nine never showed up!!! We could have had that seating. Service: stellar! They clean the tables thoroughly in between your meal. Food: okay and overpriced-- ordered sea bass and it was too salty snd the beans tasted like they had hot sauce flavoring. Steak kabobs were tough. Lamb chops were good. Mash potatoes were pretty good. Fries were decent. The passion fruit mocktail was wonderful! Price points: No refills LOL ..food overpriced for the menu ..it's Mediterranean food. You are paying for the service at best and location. Parking is a typical DC nightmare so arrive early they have a 15 min grace with reservations. Overall out of 10 I would give them 7.5 -8 due to the seating situation and food taste. The presentation is beautiful though but I like to eat!

    Tiramisu
    Debbie S.

    Gorgeous upscale restaurant in the heart of DC's wharf. Went there during DC restaurant week and was able to sample a variety of dishes amongst our group. The service was attentive, customized, and friendly. They also had a birthday card at the table waiting for us. Oh, and the foods were all delicious! This is a must try.

    Daniela H.

    Beautiful establishment. Excellent service and very attentive staff. I loved the variety of small plates and walk up stations. The banana pancake, shrimp and grits, and truffle mac and cheese were all highlights. The brunch price isn't bad at $55 per person, but I do think the add on mimosa service could be more expansive for the cost. The base tier should include all the variety of mimosas. It would make more sense for the add on to function purely as an upgraded alcohol package. Coffee and tea should at least be included in the standard brunch price. I also think the shrimp and grits buffet dish could be improved. It would be better to have more grits under the shrimp or to separate them, so guests can customize how much shrimp and sauce they want. The sauce is AMAZING! Overall, a great experience and I can't wait to come back!

    Za'atar Salmon
    Courtney T.

    Finally tried it here & thoroughly enjoyed it. A really beautiful space with a deck to enjoy perfect views of the pier & take photos. The food was pricey but good and rich in flavor. The lamb hummus was my absolute favorite. A little too expensive for a casual outing for me, but I definitely suggest for a celebratory dinner or private event. Rating a 4 because I can't give half stars, otherwise it'd be a 4.5!

    Dining room
    Gloria M.

    I stopped in for a quick lunch last week and had a nice experience. The hummus and tzatziki dips are delicious, I definitely recommend trying those. I ordered their burger and a chicken kabob on the side, which were both flavorful. The dining room and atmosphere here are beautiful but be aware the prices are pretty high too.

    Vivian Z.

    beautiful interior especially the penthouse! I love the igloos outside during the winter months. The penthouse brunch has a limited menu selection but I opted for the chicken & waffles! Chicken came out super crispy but could be spicier and the waffle is like any other waffle lol the price is on the higher side of things for the portion (very small !!! Even for entrees!!!!) so if you're looking for a budget friendly place.. this is not it. Staff is nice for the most part, host / hostess can be rude depending on who you get but servers are friendly!

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    Page 2 of 36

    La Vie Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Vie

    Is there a dress code or suggestion?

    Not sure if officially, but since I've been there a number of times I'd say trendy, fashion forward.

    Is this place child friendly? Do they have high chairs?

    Yes, they are and high chairs are available. We took there our 1 year old few months ago

    Is this restaurant accessible? We have people In the party that cannot take stairs.

    I believe it is, there's an elevator that takes you up to the restaurant.

    Can you sit at the bar here? Hoping to go for some cocktails, but do not want to take up a table reservation. However I'm worried that 1. They don't offer such seating and 2. If they do, the wait without a reservation would be extremely long

    Yes you can sit at the bar but it would be ideal if you there before 7pm during the week for your chance of finding a seat.

    During the winter, does the igloo keep people warm inside it?

    Yes! It's heated!

    Is there a $15 charge per seat ? I can't seem to get ahold of anyone over the phone and I keep hearing different things

    The best way to reach them is by email. You'll get a quicker response. And no we didn't have to pay a sue charge per seat.

    Does everyone have to get the limitless brunch? Also, I've been calling and nobody answers, it's impossible to make any reservations!

    Yes, everyone has to get the unlimited brunch but not the mimosas! I tried calling them several times as well, but no answer. You may need to go on their website to make reservations. I was a guest of someone's and do not know how they went about… 

    Are they serving halal food ? If so bacon on menu is Turkey bacon?

    Yes. They have halal options BUT please make sure and ask first bc they will tell you what is and isn't pork

    Is there regular outdoor patio dining (without igloo)?

    Yes there is

    Is it customary for this restaurant to add the tip automatically for small parties?

    If it's a small group the gratuity is already added as well. I had a birthday dinner of 4 and they added it

    Igloo reservation question. Is it really min $125/per person for the igloo? I am aware of the $100 deposit to be applied but confused if the $125/pp is enforced.

    I believe it is, when I went my friend and I spent about 125 each. However I believe that gratuity is already included in the charge so that helps. The waiter most definitely reminded us of the spending minimum once we were seated.

    Is the meat here halal?

    Hi Rabia, I am not too sure. I suggest you call the restaurant and find out. I would suggest you call the restaurant to find out. I hope this helps

    Do they do anything special for anniversaries?

    I'm sorry I'm unsure

    Is the brunch good? Any ideas or suggestions before reservations?

    I thought brunch was delicious! It's a buffet with everything and it's all you can eat

    Does the bar/happy hour area have water views?

    It has spectacular views of the water, the Wharf, the marina, and East Potomac Park across the channel.

    What is happy hour like? Is there seating without reservations in bar/lounge area?

    La Vie Happy Hour is "okay" ...... prices are a tad bit over priced and the menu is "decent". I recommend Hank's Oyster Bar, if you are looking to hit the Wharf. Better drinks, outdoor patio and great food (for a better price).

    Is there a way to get in contact with someone for reservations? I've been trying to make reservations for a birthday dinner for about a week now.....

    I'm assuming you called and they didn't answer? I just made reservations for 2 on opentable

    Where do u park?

    there's *very* limited street parking - it took me 40 minutes to find parking the time I went. Garage parking is available but at exorbitant rates ($35 for a few hours!) Metro / uber is the best bet

    Are they hosting brunch on weekends yet?

    Not yet. I was just there for dinner this past weekend. Hank's and Canopy by Hilton both have good brunch/ hearty breakfast options.

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    What a funky and cool spot! An unassuming ramen restaurant becomes a bass boosted speakeasy down…read morethe stairs. Neon lights and a cool dj keep the place going while anime plays on TVs. The cocktail that loves you is SO GOOD and the bartenders were so nice. I never felt weird or out of place. Definitely will be back!!

    Such a fun spot! I…read morewas in town visiting a friend and we got dinner across the street at the sushi place. I was pulling up Yelp to see what bar we wanted to go after and saw this on the list. We were initially going to go to the karaoke bar next door but when we walked inside, it was wayyyy too loud and obnoxious so we were like perfect let's go across the street! We walk into the ramen spot and ask where the speakeasy is and the guy led us to the back and showed us to some stairs to go down. Seriously, how COOL is this place??? The neon lights were so fun! We walked into the bar and immediately loved it! Good amount of bar seating plus some comfy couches and whatnot. There was music but it wasn't too obnoxious, we were still able to have conversations - it was surprisingly chill and exactly what we were looking for. Chatted to the bartender who made some fancy shots for us, had a few drinks. It was not busy at all on a Sat night which was nice. It is very dark inside even with the neon lights so it does make it hard to read the menus (had to use flashlights on our phone). But super fun spot, fun drinks, not too expensive, and a neat and chill experience! It was an excellent find for us for sure!

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    Love the signage

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    Go down the stairs and look for this door

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    Barrel - Chicken and waffles

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    4.3(959 reviews)
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    I have been going to Barrel since they opened in the mid 2010s. As someone who loves whiskey this…read moreis the place to go for a range of offerings. The bar staff has always been knowledgeable on providing recommendations. For instance, they were the first place I tried the Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon. While it's not something I get frequently, since then I treat myself to it every full moon. They have selections from around the world and I have sent many friends here and they have been impressed. Also while their menu seems small-please know everything they offer that they do very well. The burger is delicious, the fries, the mac and cheese and wings are some of my favorite items. Go and enjoy!

    Popped in for happy hour on a Friday around 5pm. Arrived when it was still pretty slow and was able…read moreto take my pick for seating at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful, I'm not a whisky girl so I went with wine. My partner tried a whiskey that was recommended and then a whiskey based cocktail that were both really good. For food we tried the fat fries they were delicious, hot fresh and plentiful! My partner also ordered the chicken sliders, 3 fried chicken (thighs I believe) on biscuits with a drizzle of honey. The sliders were a bit dry for my liking and lacked any flavor/seasoning. Chill vibes and good service I would definitely return!

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    The Wells - Reverse side of The Wells speakeasy

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    What a gem! I stopped by The Wells around 7:30 on a Friday night and was pleasantly surprised we…read morewere able to get seated at the bar. Within minutes the place was packed, so although we were able to get a seat I'd still recommend making a reservation since the space fills up quickly. Initially I didn't realize this was a gin-focused bar, but now I'm hooked ( I told the bartenders about my usual preferences and they were able to make great recommendations). The drinks were incredibly well crafted and full of unique flavor. I started with one of their signature drinks but then asked for a bartender's choice based on what I typically enjoy and they absolutely nailed it. The space has a stylish speakeasy vibe that feels both elevated and inviting. You ring a bell to be let in, which makes the whole experience feel a little more special. Inside, it's moody and romantic with plush seating, gorgeous lighting, and a warm ambiance that's perfect for date night or just catching up with friends. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or just looking for a cool spot to grab a drink in DC, this place is absolutely worth checking out. I'm already planning my next visit.

    We dropped in at about 7:30p on a Saturday. I was surprised that we were able to get a table…read more Marcus sat us and explained the menu. He was awesome. He was super attentive and helpful. We didn't know this was a gin bar but the drinks were tasty and great. The caramel popcorn is delicious. We got it without chocolate. This is an awesome space. I'll definitely be back.

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    The Wells - What's right behind guests when they sit at the bar - I've seen many group(s) of guests lounging in this area

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    La Vie - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026

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