I visited on a Saturday for brunch. The service was fast and food was delicious (I got the fish and chips and the fish was very moist and crispy). While we waited about 10 minutes to be seated after our reservation time, it was fine since it was a packed Saturday afternoon. We sat in the Richard Nixon booth which provided a classic old school American tavern feel with a great view of the patio and street! For one looking for a classic brunch spot, this definitely deserves attention! read more

Great location and great decor. Always busy and supported with enthusiastic and efficient staff. Lunch good. Supposedly good value but prices recently gone up. 5% surcharge annoying. Inside and outside dining read more

Came here around 5pm to pregame prior to having dinner at Flavio. Ordered two rounds of Old Fashioneds and two rounds of Espresso Martini's. Both of the drinks were really good. Alejandro was a great host and spoke to us for minutes about the decor which he puts up for the holidays. He also took care of us and provided excellent service. All of the bartenders were actually super friendly and down to earth. For appetizers we shared the French onion soup and the beet salad. Both of our appetizers were good/fresh and a good way to suppress the hanger we both were feeling. This place has history, it's definitely providing some of the best service I've had in the DMV. We will definitely be back here for dinner and drinks. read more

Martin's Tavern - Old fashioned + espresso martini - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food was fine. Hostile service. Came in at 4 pm on a Saturday. Ordered a cocktail, beer, Diet Coke and key lime pie. Server seemed upset when he said, "No meal?". To which we replied we wouldn't be long - we were in and out in 30 mins. He grabbed our napkin wrapped silverware, and when we requested to keep them he brought them back messily unwrapped and with just the forks - no knives. Which meant he handled all the silverware. Was also quite surly when we asked what a fee on the check was for - as we are not locals and did not know about a service fee. He did not explain at first just quoted a statute. So we had no idea whether it went towards a tip for him or not so we could supplement. Just a lot of unnecessary aggro attitude. read more

The Flex: In 1953, JFK proposed to Jackie in their booth #3. We had a reservation for the patio so Haru(our unfriendly pet) could join us. Despite this, two parties who came after us were seated first. After my husband talked to the maitre d, we were seated promptly. Oscar, a personable wait staff took care of us and explained the soup of the day: Brunswick soup which I never had before. This one reminded me of a heartier minestrone. Chunks of chicken and potatoes, satisfying enough on a chilly night. Alejandro's Chicken was seasoned lightly. Just mid. One of the specials was a swordfish on a bed of spinach and rice. That was very good. The spinach was buttery delicious and the swordfish was perfectly seasoned and seared. We would have tried any of their desserts, but seated next to us was a group who was extremely loud, we couldn't wait to leave. Maybe someday we'll try lunch inside, in a booth perhaps. Maybe. read more

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Had a great time at Martin's Tavern on a Sunday evening. We arrived for an early dinner and were glad we had a reservation because they were quite busy. The indoor seating area is tight, but they have every table you can safely fit to maximize seating. They also have outdoor seating with heaters. Our server was kind and attentive. She let us know what the special was and took our drink orders. I tried the Sagamora Manhattan (made with local whiskey and bitters from Sagamore Distillery), and my husband ordered a local beer. We ordered the Welsh Rabbit for an appetizer adventure. It was really good. Steaming hot dish, but tastes great with toast, once it isn't lava anymore. The traditional fried onion blossom was good too. For our main course, we ordered the bison burger (medium rare) and Martin's Delight - Hot Brown as another more adventurous option. Both were great. The hot brown was rich; so just be prepared as it is an entrée sized portion. For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Awesome al a mode and it lived up to the awesomeness in its name. Very rich, so we balanced it with a DC espresso martini. Yum all the way around. Thanks for a great experience!! read more

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I love martins and they have a lot of veteran waitstaff and bartenders that keep the locals coming back for more. But saturday night,that shift is clueless on how to read faces who wants a drink and although a packed bar,they are deep in conversation with each other. And there ie no personal connection at all which overall is not Martins. read more

praying that when JFK proposed to Jackie at Martins Tavern, the waiters were at least a smidge more attentive to him - martins tavern is known for being a history lovers jackpot. each booth named after the president who sat there with many historic interactions taking place at these tables - the outdoor seating was situated on the other side of the sidewalk and lovely on a perfect sunny windy day. - so why the qualms? well our waiter asked for our order within 1 minute (no exaggeration) of us sitting down then did not return again to ask for over 10 minutes. THEN when my "Angry Mussels" were brought out, I was the only "Angry" one around. I was told the focaccia part of the dish was on its way, waited, then I asked 4 separate times for the focaccia. no one showed any remorse or confusion. once my dining companion and I were done with our food except for my pile of sauce, our waiter brought out the bread with no apologies. the bread itself was straight up frozen on the inside. clearly no one was cooking this causing the wait time... - the "angry mussels" were an appetizer I chose for my entree. huge portion of meaty mussels in a fat bowl of almost-vodka-sauce-tasting red sauce. there were a few jalapeños floating around providing the THREE bites of "anger." super good, just wish I was actually brought any form of non raisin (thats what the complimentary every table bread basket is) bread to dip in the sauce that made up over half the plate - the pot roast was well received. the juice was decadent and the meat perfectly tender and paired with the hearty vegetables - the prices here (sadly) make sense considering the establishment must keep up with Georgetown prices, but just because you have a historical reputation.. does not mean you dont need to keep up a modern one as well. read more

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Finally planned in advance and made a reservation for last nights dinner. Food wasn't bad but since they allow other patrons to stand at the bar four people deep, we ended up eating dinner with a half dozen asses in our face and feeling claustrophobic. A Fire Marshall's nightmare. Additionally, I was very surprised they had a single stall restroom.Food wasn't bad but not worth it, especially with the additional surcharge. read more

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The service was fantastic! The waiter was very attentive and told us all about the history of Martin's as we were first time guests. The outside space we sat was very romantic and perfect for a date night. I tried the Shepard's Pie which was pretty good, but nothing to write home about and the bread we received tasted stale and was extremely hard to eat. read more

Food was amazing. Service was great and the atmosphere was an experience within itself. Highly recommend

Dear Martin Tavern Owner, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my disappointment regarding the poor customer service my husband and I experienced at your restaurant today (9/21/24) around noon. As walk-in customers, we were placed on a waitlist by the host, and after approximately 30 minutes, we received a text that our table was ready. Upon our return, a staff member named Luis directed another host to seat us outside. The table we were assigned was in the corner of the outdoor seating area, with no umbrella to shield us from the heat (80 degrees today), despite there being a table with an umbrella available nearby. When I asked the host if we could be seated at a different table, they went inside to check with Luis. Luis responded at us, (exact quote) "You gotta be back to the waitlist then." I was really taken aback by this response. It felt unnecessary, especially since there was an available table with an umbrella nearby. (I've attached a picture of the seating arrangement at the time.) Luis's attitude came across as rude and dismissive, making me feel very uncomfortable and flustered. It wasn't the kind of experience my husband and I expected when visiting your restaurant. At that point, we decided to leave because of how poorly we were treated. I was still confused by Luis's behavior, so I went back in to ask for his name. When I did, Luis called out to me urgently and said "Madam, Madam", further exacerbating the uncomfortable situation. By this point, I had no desire to engage with him further. I have heard great things about Martin Tavern, and that is why my husband and I decided to spend our Saturday afternoon at your restaurant. But this experience has unfortunately left me with a negative impression. While I am not seeking any form of perks, I believe it is important for this matter to be addressed. I just want this situation to be noted so that no future customers will have to experience the same unacceptable treatment. I would appreciate a written response to understand why this situation occurred and how your team plans to ensure better service going forward. Until then, I feel it is my responsibility to share this experience in an online review, as other potential patrons should be aware. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Jennifer read more

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

Pretty straight to the point kind of food. The brunch was tasty and filling. I also loved the history of all the presidents that have been there so that was cool for our waiter to inform us on. This place isn't fancy or anything but if you want good food, this is a great option and we didn't have reservations but we got seated fairly quickly. I would definitely come back if I wanted quick dining. read more

Brought an out of town guest and history lover to Martin's for breakfast and I'm glad I did. The buttermilk pancakes were delicious, my Irish coffee was prepared perfectly, and the service was excellent. We loved reading about the political figures who were regulars! We wish we could've sat outside but it was raining, hopefully next time! read more

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

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What a slice of history! This place is simply the best and I must say if you are looking to come I do encourage you to come early as they fill up quickly. They do have outdoor seating if the inside is full during the warm weather not sure about any other time. The food was delicious and the fried green tomatoes oh dear I can't even. We sat at the booth where Kennedy proposed to Jackie what a special surprise that was for me! So apparently this particular booth is popular. There are other booths with special guest who've sat in it. As you go through the restaurant you'll see. If you are touring the area this is one stop I suggest you won't be disappointed! Everyone from the host to our waiter was awesome. read more

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Great historic spot! Had a party of 10 plus people, service was attentive and accommodating. Food was good, there was an error with one of the steaks and the staff corrected it right away. Most interesting part of the experience was knowing that president JFK proposed to the ever so iconic and glamorous Jackie O. An array of beer was offered with a nice wine selection to chose from. Outdoor seating area available that's tented with heaters for this time of year. Hipster, swank, and certainly worth the visit if you are in the area. read more

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Service was great and the food was yummy. You definitely go here more for the history than its actual food. As an intern in DC, isn't the most affordable but cool place to visit read more

This tavern had a cool old style atmosphere with table cloths making it feel fancy but also keeping the pub feel to it. We stopped in for a few drinks and we were having a great time seated at the bar until our bartender had completely disappeared. Apparently there was a meeting with some staff members which went longer than expected. We ended up only being able to have one drink after we were keen for a few more. Not being able to order another drink for at least fifteen minutes didn't want us staying any longer. We asked some of the other waiters for the bill but they couldn't access what we ordered. I'd like to recommend the staff passing their tables to somebody else even if it is for a "short" meeting. Something simple as this would've kept us there drinking for longer and to consider coming back again. read more

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It was too nice of a day to do anything else than stroll around Georgetown and and enjoy, probably, the last warm day of 2022. We stopped by Martins for a drink and enjoyed a history lesson while we were there. At that very establishment, according to our host, John Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in that very bar. He also mentors Nixon and Truman would frequent the bar during their days in the district. In addition to the rich history, we enjoyed some fantastic calamari with our beers and definitely left knowing a few more historical DC facts. read more

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

We came for a Saturday morning brunch, and it was pretty packed--wait was about 45 minutes. This place has your typical American comfort food and serves many classics. I thought the food was very average and the prices didn't justify what I ended up consuming. The French onion soup was just missing that kick of flavor that you'd expect and the Shepherd's Pie was also kind of mediocre, I felt like I had to drench that thing in hot sauce. I think this is the type of place you go more for the vibes than the food. read more

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

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My husband and wanted to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary at The Proposal JKF & Jackie Booth. We made the reservation a month before and email the manager to confirm. Our server Luis was very knowledgeable about the taverns history, and manager Alejandro was extremely welcoming. Food was amazing and we wish we could celebrate our next anniversary there! read more

Martin's Tavern - Celebrating 37th anniversary - JKF Proposal Booth. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wow! Martin's is popular for many reasons. I visited my cousin in DC and she made a reservation for us here in the adorable historic Georgetown area. This spot feels so cozy - it was also a chilly rainy night which certainly added to the ambiance!! We split potato skins as an appetizer and I ordered the shrimp and grits. Our waiter was enthusiastic and eager to make sure we were served quickly and attended to properly. I would absolutely go back here. The bar area was jammed as well - I've heard their espresso martinis are divine. That will be on deck for trip 2! read more

This is history. Great food, Great ambience, Great service. Keeps it classic, keeps it fresh. The onion loaf is a favorite of the families. Similar to onion rings, but you get more bang for your buck. Keep it classy Martin's! read more

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We had a wonderful lunch here yesterday. It was reserved well in advance by our daughter. We (daughter, son in law, my wife and I) were seated in the requested booth where Jack Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier on June 24, 1953. The food and service were excellent! Thank you, terrific birthday present for me! read more

This date night/special occasion/after work happy hour gem of a historical restaurant is holding strong nestled in between developed current retail shops and new up and coming restaurants in Georgetown. I stopped in for a Wednesday happy hour work meeting and we ended up staying for dinner. We sat at the bar and were well taken care of by the bartender. John Carlo, I think his name was, balanced the vibe of our group and enhanced our evening with witty banter and friendly service. He may have forgotten to bring a Guinness a time or two when he got busy but that was kind of the vibe. By the end of the night we were chatting with a local regular and saw three birthday celebrations. The food was good, the atmosphere lively, and a nice place to stop in for a pint or special occasion. read more

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

Such a great place. Ordered a bunch of appetizers and CLAM chowder. I don't know if I was REALLY hungry or what, but it was the best.

Solid burger and fries. Jalepenos were great. Potato skins were a good appetizer. Friends enjoyed theirs as well. Very cool experience overall. MAGA read more

My husband and I visited on our trip after hearing great things about Martin's Tavern. On multiple travel sites, it was in the top 5 things to do in Georgetown. It did not disappoint! The service was wonderful and the food was GREAT (especially for the price). My husband got their burger and really enjoyed it. I tried the French onion soup and the Ahi Tuna Sandwich. Can I tell you how impressed I was. Both were the best that I have had. Plus, the history and environment made it that much better. We will most definitely be visiting again. read more

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

This restaurant is located in a very cute area of Georgetown. I sat at the bar (party of one) and the service was great. I ordered the chicken Parmesan and think I saw Jesus. It was delicious and I highly recommend! read more

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

Been here so many times and was shocked I had not reviewed it. Met some friends on a Sunday night. There was seating inside and outside available. In our reservation, we requested a historical booth and we were seated at one. People wore masks until their full party arrived. Masks had to be worn when wait staff was at your table and you were not eating. I ordered the burger medium with crumbled blue cheese and extra lettuce. It tasted delicious although seemed medium rare with the normal amount of lettuce. Fries were delicious. It came with a ramekin of ketchup which I appreciated not having to touch a bottle and not having to ask for it. Place was not busy. Love this place! read more

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One of the best Reuben sandwiches that I have had in a long time. Very generous portion served with fries.

Love this place, the history of it is special, so many important people have eaten here! Everything is so good and the staff are great too! read more

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12/10. Seriously. Food: ORDER THE SHRIMP AND GRITS. Omgosh. Flavor bomb. The sauce looks more tomato based than it actually is -- it's packed with creamy goodness (my preference). The grits were so cheesy and delicious & the shrimp was perfectly cooked. I'm bringing people back here just to eat this dish... yes it was that good. The Sancerre was delicious too - at $20 pre tax a glass not cheap but it's Georgetown, and it was good, so I'm happy to pay for it. The vibe was impeccable! Perfect for the holiday season. Service was on point too. Girls night done well. I can't wait to bring my fiancée! read more

Martin's is sequential Georgetown. Every time we enjoy the atmosphere, food, and the people. We mostly have brunch. The biscuits and gravy are the ultimate delicious comfort food. The holiday decorations this year look great. read more

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Let me just start off by saying this was one of the best experiences I've ever had at restaurant! It was our first trip to DC and we made reservations in advance hoping to snag the coveted "Proposal Booth" and we got it!!! The manager Louis was so kind and welcoming! Our server was Araya and let me just say if you are lucky enough to get her as your server be prepared for a treat! She is so friendly, prompt, and gives excellent food recommendations! The espresso martini... do it! French onion was heavenly!! The place is so quaint and cozy! It's awesome to eat in a restaurant with so much history! Thank you for making this such memorable moment for me and my daughter! read more

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Menu and ambiance is good the only issue is it is really packed and you can not make a smooth soft conversation. Food is tasty. The waitstaff is helpful. read more

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

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Reservations really necessary. It's not that big of a restaurant and they pack the customers in. The hostess was sort of ditzy and originally said we had no reservations. Ha! I think she was overwhelmed by the crowds and discombobulated. We were seated at a table near the bar. Within a few mins our friend said twice people bumped into him walking by. We asked to move to an empty booth. These booths are so tight and tiny that you have to squeeze into them. Hard to believe the Richard Nixon booth were were sitting in was comfortable enough for Nixon himself. The food was pretty good even if a tad saltier than I'd like. We had clam chowder a couple of times on this trip and their calamari shrimp chowder was the best. We tried: Alejandro's chicken $29. Very tasty rice as with most chicken breast dishes, can get dry. Catch of the Day Swordfish $37. Never been a fan of this fish no matter how prepared. Welsh Rarebit $12. Tons of bubbly good cheese with ample toasted bread slices. Very gooey good. Shepard's Pie $25. It was ok. Sort of mushy. Wouldn't order again. Martins Delight $21. It was literally smothered in cheese. The wait staff gently warned our friend. He couldn't finish it. There was so much cheese, too much cheese. The drinks were "The One with Rum" $14 and "Martin's Famous Boulvardier" $14. Both strong. Our booth was smack between the one where JFK proposed to Jackie and the child sized booth for one where JFK wrote his speech. I guess no one wanted to sit in Tricky Dickey's booth. read more

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Pretty solid place! We came in for a brunch, there's like a solid seven if us so not a small group. The service was great, our waiter was attentive enough to be plesant but not hovering. However, one small problem we is that it's a little hard to hear, that's just acoustics and probably the fact it's a small, old building. In terms of the food, it was fantastic. The corned beef hash was great, I enjoyed it thoroughly and the rest of our party enjoyed their food the whole time. I'd like to point out that there could be some butter included on the sourdough toast but other than that no issues. The cappuccinos were fantastic, a good balance of coffee to milk. Not too hot when it comes out to drink, but it keeps warm enough to maintain that comfort of a cappuccino. Thank you for the brunch, can't wait to see y'all again. read more

This place is a must for quality food and charm. This establishment carries a lot of history and keep your eyes open. You are bound to see a congressman/congresswoman or two dining with drinks. FYI: The prime rib is a must, I repeat a must. read more

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

When in a historical city, I like to experience old establishments and businesses. Martin's came up on my exploration and decided to check it out. It was a longer walk than I anticipated but worth it. I was in Georgetown over a decade ago and went to an old bar but I cannot remember which one it was. Martin's resembled what I was looking for. We walk in and we're immediately overwhelmed by how much scenery there is to take in. No one was at the door to greet us so we took it upon ourselves to sit at a booth next to the bar. We sat there for a good 10 minutes before we decided to get up and order from the bartender. I started with the Black Walnut Manhattan and hubs started with a beer. There were different cocktail menus I found in different places. There was one I referred to on Yelp, another that was posted outside, and another on the table. I think my favorite aspect of Martin's is the ambiance. We went at a great time because they were all decked out with Christmas decorations and they did an amazing job. I mean seriously, there were so many details put into the decorations! We closed out near closing time, to whIch our tab was expensive for 6 drinks. The bartender was really cool and told us about further decorating that was taking place. We had intentions visiting again before Christmas but did not get the opportunity. I would love to visit again during Christmas time again! read more

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