Motorkat is the latest--and perhaps best--iteration of this beloved Takoma Park restaurant space. With an amazing beer selection and a mixologist behind the bar who is truly an artist, it has quickly become a go-to local spot, whether you are sitting at the bar, enjoying the lively patio, or settling into the restaurant itself. The fries are thin, crisp, and addictive. The local oysters arrive beautifully presented on a bed of ice with fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce. I have been known to eat as many as 50 in one sitting--in true Balzacian fashion. Everyone seems to love the ancient-grains salad, and Motorkat also does grilled meats exceptionally well. Great food, inventive drinks, and a fun neighborhood atmosphere: Motorkat gets the formula exactly right. read more

Motorkat - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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I am so happy that I got introduced to Motorkat!! In fact, I dined during their birthday week celebrations (year 3), which included special birthday items and deals! My group of 5 enjoyed a variety of their drinks and dishes, sharing 3 appetizers, enjoying 5 entrees, and indulging in two of their desserts. I started off with an alcoholic Mai Thai. Food wise, I had their grilled oysters, brussel Cesar, fried chicken curry dish, trifle dessert, and sorbet. As a non-seafood person, it was a big deal for me to try their oysters. I started slow with just their grilled oysters. They were drowning in garlic and butter, so it was hard not to like. The Brussel cesar was also a solid shareable. I appreciated that the salad did not come drenched in dressing. The curry friend chicken was phenomenal! The chicken fell of the bone so easily and was so crispy, moist, and overall outstanding. The curry and impossible rice paired perfectly with it. Finally, the desserts! I could have eaten two of the trifle dessert...it was smooth, creamy, and the perfect amount of sweet. It was everyone's favorite between the two. The sorbet was good, but I found the white chocolate a little weird/awkward since it was sitting around a bunch of cold sorbet...didn't melt or mesh well with the dish. It wasn't bad, but I'd try something else next time. Overall, I loved this place. The vibes, staff, and food were amazing. I can't wait to introduce more friends to this gem. read more

Loved my experience at Motorkat. In town visiting from Los Angeles and wanted some yummy seafood and I came across this place and the oysters caught my attention. Ambiance was vibey and cozy. Our server John was awesome. We ordered the crab and shrimp ceviche, a sourdough/goat cheese/ricotta dish, salmon crudo, seafood stew, branzino, oysters and my drink was yummy too! also got butter noodles for the kiddo, the restaurant was child friendly. i believe my cocktail was called a heartache. Beautiful presentation of the food. Oysters and crudo were phenomenal and i truly enjoyed everything i ate! I'll definitely be back when I'm in the DMV. read more

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I finally went to Motorkat for dinner recently, and I loved it. I ordered the wood grilled branzino and it was a generous portion and absolutely delicious, and paired well with the greens and potatoes. For dessert, I ordered the chocolate ganache creme brûlée. I was hesitant about this unique flavor pairing but I really enjoyed the dessert once I tried it. Service was a little slow, because there were so many patrons but the ambiance was great for happy hour and dinner time. If you're in the downtown Takoma Park area, you should definitely check it out! read more

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We were sleeping on this gem! The indoor vibe is cozy & chic and the drinks were yummy & creative. But the food! The food is out of this world! Absolutely delicious - cannot recommend this place more. Also have to shout out the service. Every single person was on their game, delivering drinks, filling water, always with a smile. If you go, ask to be seated in John's section. He absolutely made our evening with his fantastic suggestions for each course. Thank you John & Chef Danny! read more

Review for sit-down - the service, my guy, was incredible. Recommended excellent dishes, oysters, and my water and belly was full the whole time. Accolades to the hummus eggplant mushroom dip - wow. read more

Motorkat hits the mark again. They have a pretty diverse selection of menu items and drinks and everything that we ordered was delicious (even the kids stuff). The ambiance is great - the interior decor is kind of upscale restaurant mixed with a rustic-Italian vibe, while somehow still feeling casual. The outdoor seating is great too with space heaters and ample seating. Service was kind of spotty, but it was also very busy at the time. The entrees and drinks were where it shined for me. Everything was really tasty with a unique blend of flavors. Dishes tended to be in the upper $20+ range, so I wouldn't classify things as cheap, but it felt worth the price for what I was getting. They also have a Happy Hour menu and special menus that seem to rotate (there was a 3-course tasting menu at the time I was there). Very cool spot and will likely be back again. read more

Motorkat - curried fried chicken - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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Returned on a very cold weekend afternoon and was happy to find the experience just as enjoyable as our first visit. We were seated right away and chose from the brunch menu, which offers a well-curated selection without feeling overwhelming. The food was delicious--my daughter enjoyed the brunch salad, and the brunch hash with perfectly poached eggs and tender, well-seasoned braised pork shoulder was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable and helpful with menu suggestions. A great spot for a relaxed meal, family-friendly, and popular with locals--especially for catching sports at the bar. Looking forward to returning to try their oysters next time. read more

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For months now, my friends have been recommending Motorkat. Located near many of Takoma Park's gems, Motorkat is a restaurant and bar with plenty of seating and an outdoor patio. Popping in on a Sunday afternoon for brunch, I was served right away. Their brunch menu has something for everyone on it from French toast to biscuits and gravy. To eat, I ended with the brunch hash with vegan sausage. It tasted very fresh! To drink, I enjoyed their Cava and elderflower liqueur. So refreshing! read more

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We went to Motorkat for the first time and I was so pleased with the experience. It's a cute spot and was so busy when we went but we still received excellent service I loved all the cocktail options and was delighted by the homemade chips. There is so much to try on this menu so we will be sure to return and try out some more! read more

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Food beautifully presented and excellently flavored... Service positive top notch pleasant .... Ambience --artfully and intentionally decorated with a hint of 'back in the day' (pure retro) with great vibrancy and color. Loved everything about it. I'll be back and encourage you to go see for yourself. read more

Motorkat - Fruit - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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Overall: super cute spot, indoor and outdoor seating, interesting menu, fun cocktails, super kind bartender, great local draft beer selection, inclusive single-stall restrooms Looking forward to returning. read more

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The food was nice. The drinks were eclectic and we all had a few different options. The ambiance was fun and relaxed.

Always been a fan. Anytime I'm in Takoma Park, Im most likely coming by. Especially since it always seems to be HH when I'm around and the god is always great along w the oysters. So why wouldn't i?! EVERYONE IS FRIENDLY. Its always busy but your always taken care of ! read more

Motorkat - HH GIN MARTINI - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Motorkat is a true Takoma Park gem! Their menu is packed with flavor and creativity, and I love that they source local ingredients -- including my very own Sweet Stinger Honey DC . The staff is amazing: friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. The atmosphere is laid-back yet stylish, making it the perfect spot for date night, brunch with friends, or just treating yourself. If you're in the neighborhood, this is the place to eat local and feel good about it! read more

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Interior aesthetic so eclectic and the staff was warm and considerate. My favorite thing that brings a restaurant above average is when they offer to replenish the toast/chip for spreads and dips appetizers, and that was just the case with the goat cheese & ricotta mousse. Also loved our entrees and all the cocktails. read more

Motorkat - House made potato gnocchi Motorkat's curried fried chicken - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Fun atmosphere. Big long bar. Strong drinks! What more can you ask for? Service was good! Bartender gave bday shots for my friend!! Pretty cool! read more

Motorkat - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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I finally went and ordered something other than the steak lol! I ordered this fish dish with some beans, I forgot what it's called, but it was soooo good! I hope they keep it on the menu so I can order it again. My friend got this pasta that she liked and looked really good. We also shared this banana dessert that I surprisingly liked. Always a great meal at MotorKat! read more

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Fabulous food and service! We had the Chesapeake oysters, soft shell crab, crab empanada, crab dip. It was amazing food and out waitress was great! read more

Fun place with a great location. The food is really good and an interesting variety, from strong standards to some really creative options. The drinks are great, with well mixed cocktails, a nice wine list and several beers on tap. Very solid fundamentals and relatively affordable so could be a semi-regular place. I had the pork belly and grits, and a Caesar salad. The grits were creamy and well offset with the grilled pork belly. Topped with crispy shallots it was delicious and rich in flavor and texture. It's not a large plate, but filling. Any bigger and it would be too much of a good thing in my opinion. While inviting the vibe is hard to get a handle on. It seems to be shooting for the neighborhood hangout, but at the same time is a little too nice for that. So there will be some boisterous bar flies arguing over something but at then cranking out nice food in a more upscale dining environment. It either can't quite decide what it is, or has purposely decided to straddle a bit of an awkward divide. The staff is nice, they're pleasant and a bit informal adding to the general welcoming vibe. read more

Motorkat - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

I've been wanting to try this place since it's close to where I am staying. We didn't realize we had made it for happy hour which had just what I wanted... fries and oysters and a good cocktail (more like 3). The fries have an Asian flavor with a creamy sauce and sesame seeds which I ate but definitely shareable depending on how hungry you are. The oysters were so good I started with six since have proved but order another six. Loved the receipt stayed on so I could see which oysters were which. The cocktails we got were the martinis but they had a variety of flavors, from lemon ginger (tasted like a healthy tonic) to pomegranate to my fave prickle pear. Overall have gone back twice and another standout is the wait staff. Super friendly everyone was working together always had our drinks filled! Def a great neighborhood spot and even a date spot. Sure lots of family but for the happy hour definitely hit it up. read more

Motorkat - Oysters - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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Went once and I'd go back to order the oysters and burger with fries again. Very tasty and chatty ambiance.

MotorKat is a Takoma staple. Happy hour is a huge seller: 9$ dirty martinis (you can't beat that). The breakfast is amazing, fresh raw bar oysters, and you can always find someone to chat with over a game here. read more

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This is an amazing upscale but not pretentious neighborhood bar. New American and seafood joint. It's an amazing bar, the food is killer and their menu has a little bit of everything for everyone. Great service, the staff are friendly and knowledgeable about their offerings. I cannot recommend it enough. read more

One of my favorite places to take family when they visit. One of the best menus in the area, with fantastic service. I really enjoy how they always seem to refresh or add onto the menu. Glad we have a place like this in Takoma Park. read more

Ok, we did not order drinks or oysters, which is maybe where this restaurant shines, but our dinner celebrating our son's birthday was rather. disappointing. Our daughter literally cried when she received her order of chicken tenders. We have never seen such a sad little plate of three tiny pieces of chicken, which we didn't realize comes with nothing, accentuating the depressing presentation, Prices were about $5 too much for each entree given the portion sizes. The service was not great; we had to flag down someone to refill our water two different times. Our waiter was John and to be blunt, he was just not particularly nice. We wouldn't return, which is too bad, because it's in our neighborhood and it has a nice vibe. read more

Such a step up for the neighborhood! As a former long-time resident of Takoma Park, it's been a treat to see how the town has evolved (and improved!) over the years. Who'd have thought a fun oyster bar would eventually take the place of an indie video store? When we were there on the cold first Friday night of 2025, service was good if a tad overwhelmed. John, our waiter, was friendly and knowledgeable. Our oysters were cleanly shucked and nicely presented, and my brussels sprouts Caesar salad was different and delicious. I look forward to going back and trying the Happy Hour. Motorkat merits everyone's support. Viva TK PK! read more

All of the above! Great Vibe Great Food Great Sevice Happy Hour with the Half Price Oysters Fabulous read more

This was a happy hour visit and the bar was buzzing. I tried a few items and was satisfied for the most part. The bar area was a fair size with a few high top tables and ample bar There is open air, outdoor seating. The music was a nice mix of upbeat and smooth songs. My dirty martini was fine. The smoked wings were ok. The zatar and honey flavoring on the chicken was good but the herb ranch tasted more like a watery tahini dressing. The braised pork cubano (half) was decent, the dijionaise helped the sandwich and the bread was toasted well, yet soft inside. The French fries a go-go are fries and gravy similar to findings in Canada so there any complaints from me with their veggie gravy. The motordog was like a corndog but crispier and even with all of the toppings that would bring flavor (curried ketchup and red chilies) the dog was bland. There could be some seasoning added to the breading and the aioli tasted like regular mayo. The oysters were good. I tried the BlackBerry and Fat Baby oysters. The fat baby's were my favorite with their decent size and salinity. Service was ok. I had to go to the bar multiple times to place an order even when it wasn't busy so I'm not sure how service is assigned to the tables in the bar area that aren't directly at the bar. While I waited for service I read up about the story of the local motorcycle riding cat that inspired the owner of the restaurant. It was nice to see the blurb on the menu and an interesting story. Decent local place to check out and grab a drink and try something from their menu. read more

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Date night at Motorkat was a fantastic experience, we went on a Thursday night and the atmosphere was vibrant and fun, lots of young and old all mashed together with great food, music and service. I tried a couple of the signature cocktails, the 4pm was the standout, described to me as the best manhattan you've had this summer, and delivered!! The food was delicious, we had small plates and a pasta dish with truffle oil to at wasn't too over the top. I really enjoyed the people was very welcoming and fun. read more

Went for brunch and won't make that mistake again. Got the biscuits and gravy. Should have been titled "biscuit and gravy" because it was a single biscuit. The biscuit itself had a thick, tough crust that took some sawing with the knife to get through. The eggs were poached hard, which was hopefully not intentional. The whole thing came out at room temperature. The gravy was bland. Pic attached. I'm sorry if it makes you feel as sad as I felt when I got it. My partner got the Potato Rosti. It was a small disc of hash browns with stuff on it, which would be great if it were executed well. It came out room temperature and soggy. Giving two stars because the desserts were good. decent cannolis and a nice trifle. Both were a good portion size (unlike the brunch entrees), tasted great (unlike the brunch entrees), and a reasonable price (unlike the brunch entrees). read more

Motorkat - "Biscuits" and gravy with "poached eggs" - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

We absolutely love this place. The food is always great. Drinks perfection. The servers (shout out to Laura) are friendly and attentive. I'm not sure if he is the owner or general manager but Ali is seriously amazing. We've been there a few times and he always recognizes us and goes above and beyond. An added plus is the outdoor seating area that is very dog friendly. I can't say enough good things about all things Motorkat. Go! read more

This is the hidden gem brunch in the DC area. Innovative menu, great service and atmosphere. We arrived on Sunday morning at 10:15 and did not need a reservation, which was a big plus. The restaurant is clean & newly refurbished - upgrade from the old Republic where we used to go. Food: Potato Rosti with Salmon - Absolutely Fantastic! This is just a gorgeous savory dish - with micro greens, cream with chives, yum. French Toast was crunchy and innovative, and this was delicious as well. The mimosas were generous pours - best I've seen in the area. The best bonus for me is that there's a kids menu - many places don't have that. Will be back - the whiskey selection at the bar looked amazing. read more

Motorkat - Crunchy French toast - very good - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

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I really enjoyed late night happy hour at Motorkat. We stopped through on the way home for a few drinks and a bite to eat. At the time we arrived they were only serving oysters which I didn't mind but it would've been nice if they had at least one other option of fries. The drinks were really good and the service was excellent. Only two bartenders but they were very attentive and friendly. The overall ambiance was nice, I was able to comfortably have a conversation and catch up on football highlights. I'll definitely be back and recommend the oysters, lemon drop and margatini! read more

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This spot has some GOOD FOOD!! Hands down, it's that simple. I saw them on my social medias when they first opened. Now I'm here!! Oh and to the Bamma that called in a bomb threat at this spot...you're not important!! . Where I am: @motorkattakoma . Location Reviewed: 6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park M.D. . Menu Includes: Salads, Burgers, Seafood Stew, Fried Chicken, Catfish, Ribs, Steak, Eggplant, Dessers, Cocktails, & MORE!! . Items Reviewed: Their Pumpkin Risotto (with braised kale, & root vegetables, pumpkin seeds, mascarpone, & parmesan $24). STAMP!! Hearty, packed full of flavor...this was a whole MEAL!! Their Motor Dog (a crispy corn Hebrew National dog, with curry ketchup, aioli, & pickled red chilis $6). LIKE THAT!! Try it!! It's a mildly spicy, crispy, curry ketchup corndog!! Their French Fries A Go Go (with veggie gravy, & mozzarella $6). DECENT. Good. I needed some more flavor to these. Their Roasted Sunchoke (with a sunchoke miso ranch, black sesame, & sweet & sour raisins $13). LIKE THAT!! I'd get this again! The ingredients MADE this meal!! Their Happy Roaster Oysters (roasted with herb butter, & lemon pepper $15). STAMP!! Perfectly toasted, not chewy, meaty, buttery, & lemony!! Their Dry Age Burger (with l.t.o, & smoked mozzarella Béchamel $16 I added bacon $3, & a side salad $4). STAMP!! A juicy thick flavorful burger, crisp bacon, & a cheesy cheese, even the simple salad was DELICIOUS!! Their People Shrub Mocktail (with lemon, lime, & apple cider vinegar $8). STAMP!! You did NOT taste the vinegar, surprisingly refreshing!! Their Curried Fried Chicken (Fried chicken in a curry sauce, forbidden rice-a heirloom black rice, Madra's curry, & a crunchy herb salad $23). Their Pear Apple Walnut Crisp (with a citrus custard, walnut streusel, vanilla ice cream, & a caramel drizzle $12). STAMP STAMP!! Bursting with flavor, apple pie on 100!! Their Calico Crème Brulee *Not in the video*($Custard with a candied caramel on top $10). STAMP!! Creamy, sweet, DELICIOUSNESS!! Their Banoffee Trifle *Notin the video*(with, graham cracker, Dulce de leche, cream, & caramelized bananas $10). STAMP!! GET IT. That's it!! . Customer Service: On Point!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: ROUGH . Music: YouTube-Backyard Band Socket . Recommendations: The Burger, Chicken, Risotto, & ANY dessert!! 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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My new favorite local spot! Heard about this place from a friend and went twice in 24 hours because I enjoyed my experience so much. The vibe feels like cheers, where everybody knows your name. The bartenders are friendly and attentive. The drinks are affordable and so good! The food is absolutely delicious. The Maryland Bluefish is flavorful, meaty, and light! Highly recommend trying it as a seafood option. read more

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IF YOU'RE READING THIS COME HERE!! I came here on a Wednesday night to celebrate my cousin's birthday and let me tell you, they treated us so well!! My cousin originally ordered The Motortini and I ordered the Hefe draft beer. This beer was so delicous it had a smoky finish; perfect for the dozen oysters we ordered. Julio, the manager and bartender was absolutely amazing!! He made sure we had an incredible time and even treated my cousin to a free shot for her birthday! Other good we enjoyed were the Head-On-Tiger-Prawns and their limited edition short ribs SO GOOD!! If you have an oyster craving I definitely recommend coming here as they have a $1.50 oyster special going on for happy hour which are weekdays open-6pm and 10-close every night!! ALL IN ALL COME HERE!!! read more

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Motorkat is such a gem in Takoma Park. The fluffy focaccia with white bean dip set the tone, the Brussels Caesar hit that perfect mix of creative and classic, and the lobster sliders? Tiny, buttery perfection! Trust me, you'll want at least two. The grilled oysters were garlicky and just plain craveable. Friendly service, cozy neighborhood vibe, and really delicious food. Can't wait to go back! read more

Motorkat - Focaccia, lobster sliders, grilled oysters, brussels sprouts caesar - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland

Amazing happy hour food and drink specials! There is a lot of food on the happy hour list. I like the ambiance as well. You can order fancy hot dogs, oysters, or a Cuban sandwich...we ordered all 3 and all 3 food items were delicious! Our marghatini's were tasty as well. read more

Delicious brunch option! We stopped in just before 11 am, before the brunch rush. The restaurant has a lovely outdoor space, as well as plush, velvet booths and black leather booths. Our server, Mia, was excellent. She got our drink orders quickly and came back for our food orders, and asking if it was okay that the oysters came out first before the rest of the food. I ordered an iced coffee and the potato rosti which was absolutely delicious. It has pickled onions, an herby and lemon-y sour cream, jammy egg half, smoked and spiced salmon, and microgreens. I devoured it. There were a lot of interesting drinks and other brunch options, and I'd love to come back for dinner too! read more

Motorkat - Potato Rosti - Seafood Near Me - Takoma Park, Maryland