One of my most favorite things about Georgetown is getting to swing by Martin's Tavern. Talk about a D.C. staple and landmark! So much history here dating back to 1933 when the doors first opened. It's considered a presidential landmark. JFK proposed to Jackie O here! Different booths pay homage to presidential visits. For example, I believe it is booth #3 where JFK proposed. Booth #6 is dedicated to Harry Truman and so on. The tavern has an old-school D.C. neighborhood vibe. The service is always friendly and attentive. The drinks are tasty-the gang here knows what they're doing. Chocolate old-fashioned can't be beat. Nice selection of mocktails too. The food is yum times a thousand. Here's what we've had over a series of visits: French onion soup=A+ New England clam chowder=A+ so says the boyfriend Steak salad=A+ Chicken skewers=A+ The pot roast and meatloaf are rad and both also=A+ Portions (for us) are definitely shareable. read more

I've been wanting to try Martin's Tavern ever since I learned that JFK was a frequent visitor, so we finally made it happen! We stopped in on a Tuesday for brunch to avoid the crowds, and it turned out to be a great time to visit. The restaurant is smaller than I expected, but that's part of its charm. It's cozy, packed with historical photos, and does a great job preserving that old-school tavern feel. Each booth has a plaque commemorating a particular person or event, although I wish more of them were included in the history brochure at the table. If you're going to give me a history lesson, Martin's Tavern, I'm ready for the full syllabus! We started with the Shrimp & Calamari, which was fried perfectly--crispy without being oily or overly salty. The mandarin-orange aioli was an excellent pairing. My wife ordered the French Onion Soup and absolutely raved about it. It had generous chunks of bread and onion, and the flavor was fantastic. We both went with the Lobster Roll, with regular fries for her and sweet potato waffle fries for me. Huge props to the fry cook because BOTH were out of this world! The portions were also enormous. The lobster rolls were tasty, but personally, I prefer mine with just warm butter. I felt the shallots and herb mayo competed a little too much with the lobster's flavor. One thing I really appreciated was how upfront they were about the DC surcharge. It's clearly printed in the menu, and our server made sure we knew about it before ordering. I've been to other DC restaurants where the surcharge mysteriously appears on the bill like a surprise DLC, so I appreciate the transparency here. There are still SO many things on the menu I want to try, which means I'll definitely be back. read more

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Went to Martin's for the first time since I was in the area and wanted to treat a friend to a birthday brunch. We were sat at the proposal booth which was such a nice touch. I love that they made it known with a plaque. I had their specialty oyster soup and I really loved it. My friend had their eggs Benedict and it came with hash and fruit. They gave him a complimentary rum cake and it was really nice. Would happily return. read more

Martin's Tavern - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a great lunch here recently when I was visiting an old friend in Georgetown! The restaurant was pretty busy, but we were fortunate to get a table after about a 10 minute wait. We decided to split an appetizer and entree. The appetizer was the shrimp & calamari. And the entree was fish & chips, but we substituted onion rings for the fries. Everything was delicious! Service was good, and we enjoyed checking out all the historic pieces around the restaurant. read more

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Ate here today for brunch trying this place out with my parents and sister for the first time. We definitely got and eaten different kinds of dishes to enjoy individually that we'd seemed to enjoy and it was absolutely delicious. The service there was also attentive and quite good and pleasant but historic as well. The ambiance has great jazz instrumental playing. We couldn't agree more about it. Finally, I would definitely eat and come back again next time when I visit Washington DC someday in the future! :) read more

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Loved our first visit! They have a decent amount of options on the menu. The food was very good. The only downside is how small the restaurant is, so any mobility issues would make it difficult to get through. Otherwise I recommend giving them a try! The service was great as well! read more

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I went to Marvin's tavern for lunch. I originally tried to order a baked potato with my soup, but was told baked potatoes are not served at lunch? Nevertheless, the soup was outstanding. Not too overbearing, not salty, and not an overwhelming sherry taste. The cheese was melted perfectly and the portion was just right. The service was okay. I was a solo diner and felt a little forgotten, almost as if the bigger tabs mattered more? The inside is also a little tight, but the building is old so that's expected! The history and charm really add to the aesthetic and it's definitely a cool, historical spot to check out for some good food. I unfortunately did not get the add a matchbook to my collection as I was told they don't have any, which was sad. I would recommend people check this spot out! read more

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3.5 in a real scale- Went here to get a cocktail. Cool historical tavern. Looks storybook on the outside. I was shocked at the pricing and the service taxes tacked on from the get go. Had two Guinness from the tap and they totally hit the spot. The food did not look stellar, but I cannot speak on the taste. A good spot to check for history. Bring your wallet full, just to say you went, but I would not return due to the pricing. read more

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The food was very good. Our waitress TAYLOR WAS AMAZING. We got to sit in the proposal booth read more

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A 4+ for incredible service. I really wish we got our waiter's name because it was the friendliest service I've had in a while. We were seated in booth #1 side by side. Cool to sit in a historic place. Food was good. I had a beet salad with salmon and my husband had the hash. Good Bloody Mary. Even better beer. Try the dunkle. read more

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Such a DC classic. And you never know who you'll meet. We sat next to the Ben Bradley Booth, and when I pointed out the sign to my husband, Ben Bradley's son Quinn introduced himself. The service is awesome. The ambience is so old DC and the food is excellent. This is a must visit when you're in DC read more

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I had such a wonderful experience at Martin's Tavern. I was afraid this would be one of those spots where the food/service don't match up to a unique ambiance, but I was so pleased that dining at Martin's Tavern was a top-notch experience across the board. On a cold and rainy night, the Shepard's Pie was perfect. I really enjoyed the use of lamb in their version! My party was sitting outside under the awning, and as the rain picked up, the service staff courteously ushered us inside and gave us a tour of all of the notable booths inside! What really set them apart was when we were given an umbrella to take home, to ensure we didn't get too wet walking to our Uber. The kindness of the staff from the beginning of our meal to the end of the experience was truly unparalleled. read more

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What an awesome place. We felt like we stepped into Brigadoon. Super packed on a Sunday night we walked in and sat at the bar by a stroke of luck as two people had just left. We talked to everyone around us and the bartender was awesome. We were going to have dinner next door so we didn't eat here, but the menu looked great, will definitely try next time. Martinis were perfect. Will definitely come back. read more

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Let me preface this by saying that we live in NYC, so we're used to amazing food spots. The history behind the tavern is great; surely a relic. Food-wise, it's fairly decent, but not great. I had the fish and chips, meh. My wife had the beef stew, and that was very tasty. Almost all three stars go to the bread pudding, that was really good. Overall, cool to check it out once, but def not a repeat spot. read more

Martin's Tavern - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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It was OK, the prices are very high, they don't like taking contactless payment and instead sort of demand that you give them the actual card. Which was kind of BS because the payment terminal they are holding in their hands accepts contactless payments. So I think it's a little bit of a scam.. Shady business. The minimum tip is already set to 20%, so I'm not entirely sure how honest they are about things. The food was pretty good, Definitely not worth the price, but it was tasty. There's a bit of stuff on the menu about service charges, and operation cost, and at the end of the day, I just don't care. If you can't afford to pay your employees, you really shouldn't be in business. I don't plan to go back. Too much funny business with the pricing. read more

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I had the blessed opportunity to dine at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. Honestly, we only stopped because the bright red umbrellas outside caught our eye--but what a hidden gem! I had no idea this spot was steeped in so much history. From presidents who've eaten here to the story that JFK proposed to Jackie in one of the booths, the atmosphere is unforgettable. But beyond the lore, the food itself is phenomenal. The skillet scrambler was a perfect brunch choice, and the chipotle margarita is a must-try. Flavorful, fresh, and memorable. If you're in Georgetown, don't just walk--RUN to Martin's Tavern. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend it! read more

Martin's Tavern - Chipotle Margarita! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I really wanted to love this place because I love the history of it and the physical tavern itself is quite lovely and kept in its original 1930s condition. The staff are superficially, friendly, and helpful, but they don't seem to understand the spirit of service. The two hostesses were super sweet and welcoming, but then they stood next to my table the entire time I was eating talking about their personal lives. Again, my waiter was superficially friendly and helpful, but was overly familiar. He needs to learn to adjust his conversation from when he is talking to his buddies at the university and when he's talking to older patrons. I got the fish and chips and the fish was over fried and the portion was small. I ended up paying over $55 for a small plate of fish and chips and a beer. If it was exceptional, I wouldn't mind, but they need to do better. I was never given a physical check to review. The waiter just stuck a card reader in my face with a random number. This is a historic place with a lot of charm. They just need to train up their staff and focus on food quality. read more

I went on a Wednesday this month. I was seated in the rumble seat, right inside the door, seating for 2 or in this case 1. The place was pretty busy for middle of the week. I'm looking over the menu and beer list and decide on the 1933 Pilsner. Most DC brau beers are pretty good. I'm in the mood for steak...I decide upon the NY Strip. The waiter politely informs me they're out of NY Strip. Ok...Let me look some more at the menu. I finally decide on the fish and chips. I'm working on the beer, casually watching the TVs above the bar. Lots of people milling around... I get a 1933 refill and after a bit my fish and chips arrives. I have never seen fish and chips like this. Two small pieces of fish and a bunch of fries. The fish is a bit greasy...but ok. The fries are still hot and crispy. Then dipping sauce (which I thought was tarter) was something different. Not sure what fish and chips comes with besides tarter sauce...maybe it's an acquired taste. Anyway dinner was still pretty good. Hopefully next time they will have steak. read more

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We had the surprise pleasure of seating in the Proposal Booth which was an added touch to our experience. Very Tavern / Historic location but updated enough to not feel like a dated dive. The food....Absolutely delicious! Ordered the Pot Roast and it was sooo tender and flavorful. I told the waitress the Chocolate Awesome dessert was misleading. It's not awesome. It's the most amazing thing I have eaten. Order it and thank me...then ship me some! read more

Martin's Tavern - Martin's Tavern - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Outstanding late night dining spot with great food and service!! Our waiter was first rate!! The bar was packed but we sat outside under a nice covered patio. Wine and drinks were excellent. If you want a late night bar with great food this is the place to go in DC!! read more

There is something about legendary Georgetown places near M Street and Wisconsin that never gets old. They have the classic brunch menu as well as more healthy options. When looking for brunch or a drink/meal in Georgetown, it checks the DMV vibe. The service is always great. Hoya Saxa! read more

We came back here after my engagement and they treated us so well. We had to wait a little but got the JFK proposal table. Such a special experience. They treated us with champagne (even though we don't drink) and dessert which was so kind of them. The pot roast was incredible and the holiday decor was amazing. Love this place. So much history. read more

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Martin's Tavern in Georgetown is one of those places that doesn't just keep its charm over the years... it somehow multiplies it. This Georgetown institution is the definition of timeless, and my recent Wednesday afternoon visit proved exactly why. After a short wait, we snagged two coveted seats at the bar and were immediately greeted by Nep, the bartender everyone deserves but few are lucky enough to meet. His personality alone could make a bad day better, but paired with his humor and spot-on recommendations, he set the tone for a fantastic afternoon. We started with what might sound simple: the hand-breaded chicken tenders. Let me assure you, there is nothing basic about these. They come out as a full entrée disguised as an appetizer and I regret absolutely nothing. Crispy, flavorful, served with fries, and worth every bite. I followed with the Chef's soup of the day, a tomato-based chowder that was rich, cozy, and exactly what I didn't know I needed. My dining partner went for the oyster stew and proceeded to rave about it as if he had discovered fire. Still working through the chicken tenders, we decided to stay in the appetizer lane and ordered the classic shrimp cocktail. Perfectly chilled, perfectly simple, perfectly Martin's. To seal the deal, we finished with the homemade apple pie, naturally topped with ice cream. It was one of those desserts that makes all conversation stop for a moment because you're too busy enjoying it. Throughout it all, Nep kept the afternoon lively with great wine recommendations and even better conversation. He's the kind of bartender who makes you want to come back before you've even left. Bottom line: go for the history, stay for the food, and absolutely ask for Nep. read more

Food was really just okay. Not even terribly good. For the price, I expected much more. It was very cramped and busy inside too, but that's not their fault. I'd consider that part of the charm. The service though was also not very good. They sat us down and told us we only had an hour to eat because that table had been reserved by another party. We said that's fine, it was nice just to be seated, and if the food came in a timely manner then we'd have no problem finishing. It did not. The waiter took their time taking our order -- we waited for 15 minutes before they came. My partners food then came out 10 minutes before mine, so she finished nearly her entire meal before I received mine. The whole time we felt rushed, and it wasn't even because we ate slowly, they just took so long to bring us our food. Martins Tavern looked really good when we first walked by, but we left feeling like we'd fallen for a tourist trap. read more

I've always wanted to eat here and could never get a table because I don't make reservations timely. Yesterday we got a table and I now understand why the restaurant is so popular besides being known the place where JFK proposed to Jackie. The host and waiter were very friendly and efficient. The ambiance was so great with so many people joyfully gathered both on the floor and arounf the bar. From the entire restaurant watching the Kentucky Derby and cheering for that to singing happy birthday along with a table celebrating. It was so fun last night. Lastly and most importantly, a restaurant must serve delicious food and they nailed it! We had oysters, pork chop and seafood pasta. I can tell the recipe and preparation were superior than the typical pork chop (w/truffle oil) and seafood pasta (w/capers) at other average restaurants. Also the cocktails were very good. Everything was excellent and we can't wait to come back! read more

The food ordered was below average and well overpriced. Some of the staff were rude/unprofessional. The interior itself is nice and has a great potential, but as it is currently, it did not meet expectations! read more

We enjoyed our dinner here. This is a historic spot and one of the more unique places in DC. I went on a week night and my family of 4 were able to do a walk-in. With that said, this place is hopping! It's probably best to have a reservation. The inside of the restaurant is where it's at. And if you can plan ahead, it's well worth getting one of the famed booths. Whether it's the JFK booth where he proposed to Jackie or the booth most frequented by President Johnson, it's a classic DC institution. For dinner, my kids went nuts over the chicken tenders and fries. Our server was nice in recommending that they split it since it was a massive portion. My partner got the "Martin's Delight" also known as the famous "hot brown." We had the original Hot Brown in Louisville, Kentucky. Though my partner has ZERO recollection of it! But he absolutely loved this dish. It's a heavy dish with roasted turkey on top of toast , with sliced tomatoes, bacon, cheese, along with a cheesy béchamel sauce in a skillet. He barely let me taste it since he loved it so much. For my dinner, I got the Martin's House Salad with grilled chicken and goat cheese, both which were extra charges. It is a fantastic salad and well worth adding in the cheese and protein. I also got what they claim as the best French onion soup in DC. I have to admit, this was our least favorite dish we ordered. We love this soup but it was not flavorful and tasted very off. Even my kids, who normally down this soup, had one bite and refused to have any more. But overall, a great night. I'll skip the French onion soup next time and stick to the salad. read more

Great place to dine outside! The inside is pub style but we sat outside near the Main Street in Georgetown. My friend brought her dog with her and the host gave her dog a water bowl. So thoughtful. We came for a quick lunch and ordered 3 items to share. The dishes were good but could've used more salt in my opinion. And although the service was great, it took us a while to order espressos and get our check. Overall, we did enjoy our time and would come here again read more

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Absolutely needed it. Lobster and crab risotto was on time. Place is absolutely incredible only issue would be is that the libs like to eat here a lot. Damn shame. JFK also used to rip this place quite a bit and it's no coincidence. If you're looking for a place to ignore Israel in this is definitely the spot. read more

I was visiting the DC area for holiday and my friend took me to this famous tavern in Georgetown. It is a cozy little place. Dark wood panels, small cozy booths. It is frequented by politicians and staffers. We made a reservation knowing it will be busy even on a week day. The hostess was friendly and we were seated on time at a booth. The menu is very east coast. Cheese and bread. We ordered a dish called Angry Mussels. It is not very angry (spicy) but tasty and it comes with a big piece of bread. We also ordered a Fish and Chip. The chip is more like French fries. The fish was good size and very fresh. The batter wasn't heavy. It is very delightful. We also ordered a Shepherd's Pie and it was normal, nothing to write home about :) All in all, it is a tourist place. Nice place for a meal and am glad I visited. read more

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We went on a Monday for lunch. Had made reservations. We were seated right next to the entrance. The place is a little loud. You're obviously going for the experience and the history. We both got salads and they were excellent. It's a must visit at least once. But it's not something to write home about. read more

Made a reservation for dinner when a friend was out of town. I was a bit early so they asked me to sit at the bar until my party arrived -- once she did, they seated us immediately. Our waiter was attentive. For food, I ordered the seared ahi tuna steak over mushroom risotto and I did not enjoy it. Honestly I should have know the flavor pairing would not work. There was also a bit of balsamic glaze under the risotto that made even less sense. I would consider coming back but would order something different. As far as I could tell, the only bathroom is up a narrow flight of stairs with one stall each. Something to be aware of if you have someone disabled or elderly in your group. read more

Martin's Tavern - Seared ahi tuna steak over risotto - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great visit to Martin's Tavern! We had such a great time at Martin's Tavern in Georgetown. The service was amazing--super friendly and on top of everything. The food was delicious, and the whole place has that classic, cozy vibe that makes the experience even better. There was a line out the door when we arrived, so definitely recommend making reservations if you're going on a Sunday afternoon. Totally worth the wait, though. We'd happily go back! read more

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We love Martins Tavern but, over the years, we have learned that you never go there without reservations! To be honest, it is a bar and - usually - bars do not require reservations. But such is life in the capital city of the Western World. If you show up at Martins Tavern without reservations, you will be sorry. Anyway, today we were shopping for eyeglasses across the street and we made reservations before leaving for that (because we are not dummies). When we showed up for our reservation, our table was ready even though the dining room was, of course, packed! But we were escorted into a small little room in the back of the building, under the stairway and under the ladies room where, at most 5 tables were located. One for Ted Kennedy in case you were wondering. This was not the best seat in the house (sorry Ted). Because it was semi-enclosed, everyone else's conversation echoed in our ears throughout the entire meal. Someone was talking about clothes but the more interesting people were talking about some athletic team at Georgetown and BOY did they give some juicy details. My spouse and I were careful about the details that we discussed. Okay, now on to the real review. The food was - as usual - very good. I had French onion soup which was good. I think the broth was a bit heavy on the Worcestershire Sauce - I think this sauce should flavor the broth NOT be the broth. But, there were tons of delicious onions, lots of gooey melted cheese and some beautiful bits of bread floating in the soup. My spouse got the oyster stew and he loved it. There were 5 HUGE oysters (I have never seen oysters this big - were they grown near a nuclear plant???) and the cream sauce was thick and luxurious. It filled him up. We then shared a Caesar Salad which was adequate but nothing more. The dressing was not remarkable which was a disappointment but the lettuce was crisp, the cheese was plentiful and the croutons were fresh. So all in all it was okay. Our server, Oscar V, was VERY good. He was polite, professional, attentive and helpful to us. He never waited for us to ask for a drink refill. Oscar V was always on top of things! I am not sure how he remembered us, way in the back, in the room under the stairs and the ladies room, at the table next to Ted Kennedy's table, but he did. So accolades to him for his good service! Once again, Martins Tavern delivers good food, good service in a crowded and close atmosphere. And the little things that bug us, actually, do not bug us that much. That is why we keep coming back. Do we recommend Martins Tavern? Yes of course as long as you do not expect to show up, get a great seat and have a nice quiet meal without reservations. read more

The ambiance and decor was fun! It definitely felt historical and bar-like, while still being upscale. Food was decent. I found the fries to be average and the prime rib to be a little bland (ordered a prime rib sandwich). Worth the stop, not somewhere I would repeatedly visit. read more

What an experience they opened in 1933 incredible history small booths,narrow isle ways, beautiful bar. Our server was top notch very knowledgeable and attentive. I had the Shepherds Pie made with lamb, I'm salivating just thinking about it, so good. My wife had the Colonial Brunswick Stew, different from BBQ Brunswick Stew but very flavorful. Great experience, by the way we sat in the Art Buckwald booth just inside the door. A great step back in time. read more

The whole old school tavern look of the place was really good and I also thought that the service was pretty good The food was amazing if a little pricey but it's also a big city so that's expected. read more

Yes, a tourist trap. As locals, we often take guests here to see the 'proposal' and 'Albright' booths but the aggressive tactics to turn over the tables are now over the top. $18 cocktails and mediocre food can cause fatigue. But, the worst part was that after two rounds of drinks, appetizers and entrees tonight -- we were still 'asked' to move along after just 1.5 hours to make room for the Midwest moms unloading from the minibus. Probably now off our rotation. I called to express disappointment with Ramon, who identified himself as the general manager, and was told we shouldn't have been seated there. That's my fault? I later learned a Mr Valle is the actual general manager. Unclear why I wasn't directed to him read more

This is were it all started to click again. Simple. Sitting at the bar on Sunday for lunch. Busy as hell and not minding that at all. Ordering a T3 which they had on stock. Take note. G&T. My best burger of the past 6 years easily. Simple beef patty with perfect flavor (greasy enough, glad to admit), red onions, tomato and lettuce. Cheddar cheese of my liking. Fries not charred. And a gherkin! God bless them. The place is bustling while you are there. You feel like you need to move on but the food is to be reveled on slowly. It is that good. And they do good enough serving you while they are handling every DC entitled individual asking for a cocktail. Kudos! read more

Unfortunately, the customer service was very disappointing. This is not the kind of place where you can relax and enjoy a couple of drinks. As someone visiting from San Francisco, I was expecting the warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere that Georgetown is known for, but that was not my experience. I hope management takes steps to improve the level of service for future guests. If there were zero stars, that's what I would be doing. read more