I recently hosted a private birthday party for about 18 people at Nina May, and it was absolutely incredible--easily one of my best visits yet (and this was my third time here!). Ben was our server for the evening and truly went above and beyond. He was attentive, timely, and made sure our wine glasses were never empty. He checked in often to ensure everything ran smoothly, which made the whole experience feel seamless. The managers, Peter and Arie, were also fantastic. They both made it a point to check in throughout the night, making sure everything was perfect. That kind of attentiveness really makes a difference. The food? Outstanding. Every course from the Chef's Choice menu was delicious, and the kitchen did a great job accommodating dietary restrictions without compromising on quality or creativity. I'll absolutely be back to Nina May. And if you're thinking of hosting a private event--don't think twice. This is the place to do it! read more

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It's a nice meal, large space with seating inside and out, friendly service, but timing was a bit sporadic at times (restaurant was not busy). Overall the food is good, but there weren't any standout dishes - a seasonal driven menu that will have something for everyone. read more

Came in just for a cocktail and beef Wellington bites because I never had beef Wellington, so might as well get a taste. The menu had the alcoholic warm cozy drinks of egg nog or hot chocolate. Unfortunately, they were both not available, sad! Though it is nice they still had four other options, so I went with this citrusy one and felt like I was getting medicated (good thing) lol. The staff did their best for me, can't say much because I was there for a short time. The decor of the place is nice as well, dimly lit and welcoming for intimate dinners. I didn't experience enough to say I can recommend this place, but they do take the InKind App payment for 20% back. Have nothing negative about my experience as they were out of the business' control (unavailability of popular drinks). Not a place for solo dining because chef's experience requires two people, so not for solo travelers like me. read more

Nina May - The appetizing beef Wellington bites, delicious! But too wine infused. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm so glaf my friend brought me to thoe spoy for brunch, every course was a treat for the taste buds. We got the chef's choice: the hashbrowns were delicate, caesar salad fresh, the braised short- ribs benedict were the right morsel and the chicken with the crispy skin was excellent read more

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Good ambiance and some great inventive dishes. The upstairs is super cozy and service was very personable and kind. The chicken was overcooked and we were also oddly charged for the carrot cake we got through the prix fixe. But overall, a great place I'd try again. The vegetarian ham and beans dish and clam toast were my absolute favorites. Highly recommend the carrot cake as well - and good drinks here too. read more

Nina May - clam toast (right), pasta with crispy brussel sprout leaves (left) - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came to Nina May for restaurant week brunch and was not disappointed. 4 dishes for $35 was a great deal. I loved the homemade hash browns with smoked salmon. The presentation was beautiful, the salmon was abundant and the flavor combo, seasonings, and texture played well with one another. I also loved the hollandaise brisket eggs Benedict. The eggs were cooked perfectly and I liked the seasonings. The salad was good but a bit boring and the chicken, wasn't the biggest fan of the sauce and it was a bit overdone. Def would come back and try more food here! read more

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What a gorgeous little place!!! :) So perfect for brunch! In the best little area. I brought my bestie and we met some other friends for brunch. It was awesome! The Christmas decorations are so cute. The food is phenomenal. I like that the menu is small because I didn't get overwhelmed with options. The food came out quickly and everything has a ton of flavor. The Shisito peppers were bomb... idk what all wa sin them but I'd get em again! The eggs Benedict was tasty too. I could have eaten the whole thing if I wasn't sharing! Wait staff was nice. Everything turned out well! Very photo esque** read more

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I am a foodie that has lived in DC for nearly four years. Nina May is my new favorite restaurant, maybe ever. I came for restaurant week and had the chef's choice with the wine pairing. My table wasn't ready and I received a complementary glass of champagne. I was solo, and called ahead of time to ask if I could do the chefs choice with only one person. The manager said yes! Although, I personally think it is too much food for one person and I thought they'd just reduce the portions. Anyway, my favorites were by beer battered fish, gnocchi, carrot cake, and the cannolis. The chicken was a bit dry, but still tasty! I have been shouting from the rooftops about Nina May since I visited! I'm looking forward to returning. read more

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If I could base this review on service - they get a 12 out of 10! The staff is absolutely excellent! From the table bussing team to the actual wait staff. My problem lies with the food - it was pretty terrible! We came here for the DC summer restaurant week and every single part of the meal made no sense to us. Going back to how great the staff was again, one of the dishes we did not enjoy, and they decided to comp us a fusion of two dishes, which was... Just OK. I spent a ridiculous amount of money and it was NOT worth it. This is my second time trying this spot, and unfortunately, I will not be back. read more

Nina May - DC restaurant week is on!! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

From the first day they opened, Nina May has been on my list and I'm so glad we finally dined there. In a farmhouse-style restaurant in Logan Circle, the chefs create a seasonal neo-American menu. My wife and I went for dinner during the last week of Nina May's summer menu. Here's our experience. 1) Food: To feed the two of us, we ordered the heirloom tomato salad with smoked whipped feta, Parker House rolls, brisket, corn cavatelli with crab, and chocolate mousse. Every dish was well presented and tasty, especially the rolls. They are the best Parker House rolls I've ever had and the butter it comes with is perfect. The only thing we didn't love were the corn dumplings that came with the smoked beef pastrami. They were dry. 2) Drinks: Their list is impressive with wine from all parts of the world, including Serbia and Moldova. Their Moldovan Sauvignon Blanc was refreshing and the seasonal watermelon margarita good. 3) Service: From start to finish, it was efficient and helpful. Gratuity is not included so be sure to tip well. 4) Space: It's inside an old rowhouse with two levels of dining and a bar on each floor. (Unisex bathrooms are on both floors too.) The dishwater is gorgeous and the decorations on the walls match the farmhouse theme, except for the large photos of D.C. monuments. 5) Location: On the edge of Logan Circle, it's central with many other restaurants and cafes nearby. Street parking is hard to find. It took us 20 minutes to find a spot. If you want a more intimate date night, book this spot. It's truly local and quaint. read more

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Went to celebrate my Bridal Dinner Party with my mother and aunties on a Wednesday night (+ Restaurant Week extension). First time visiting the restaurant! I want to start with the great customer service and communication from the Host and Manager, by accommodating my diet (pescatarian) and still make the other members of the party enjoy the main "meat dish" (the chicken entree). What a great pick to celebrate a special dinner, definitely ticks all the points for a romantic spot (if you plan taking your date here). The lights are dim, background music not loud, even you barely can hear other people's talk (great acoustics of the place), this is not a chatty or loud spot! Without feeling like it's too sober/serious. Loved just enjoying our meal, chat and vibe with the relaxing atmosphere! The meal itself was fantastic! Family style dishes, several courses. We tried their crafted menu for Winter Restaurant Week 2024! Not much different from their current seasonal a la Carte Menu. Since this was a celebration dinner, the host gifted us sparkling wines to toast/cheer! So nice of them! (5 stars on customer service!). The star of the first courses was the Chestnut Agnolotti! Would melt in your mouth! And so comforting during winter! The rockfish was delicious, the sauce was velvet-y and the right spices on the fish. Since I was driving home, got the non alcoholic espresso martini, definitely more in the lighter roast side with some orange blossom notes? Best carrot cake (if carrot cake marries Red Velvet cake and have the perfect baby!!!) the sponge itself was very moist and less chewy than a normal carrot cake. Also that buttercream is game changer! They gifted me the Chocolate Pot the Creme! That was very rich in terms of the chocolate and the mouse has a pretty good consistency (many pot the cremes I've had in the past, feel too gluey due to the gelatin!). Overall one of the greatest dining experiences! Hopefully one day they'll receive a Michelin Star!! read more

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Three years later, Nina May is still my favorite special occasion restaurant in DC. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more hype! The prices have gone up since 2020 (the chef's choice is now $59/person - I blame inflation), but the food remains fantastic: fresh, delicious, seasonal, and well-portioned. It's a great deal for finer dining, especially given how expensive the DC food scene has gotten in recent years. The restaurant is gorgeous, too - upscale without any stuffiness - and the service is some of the best I've found in DC. Our waiter checked on us frequently to top up our water, replace our plates/silverware, and ask how everything was tasting. The kitchen was also kind enough to swap out an onion-heavy dish in the chef's tasting menu for the rainbow trout because of my aversion to onions. The food was just delicious: the rainbow trout was standout (that roe sauce!), and I loved the freshness of the heirloom tomato salad. I also love that Nina May doesn't skimp on the portions for the chef's choice menu - I was so full by the end of the meal. We also tried several of their cocktails. I had the Juniper Punch (good, complex, a bit more muted in terms of flavor than I expected) and It's My Jam (bright, jammy, really really good - get this!). I can't wait to be back! read more

Nina May - lemon + thyme roasted chicken - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Nina May is tucked at the corner in the Shaw neighborhood. The restaurant is so adorable and cute. We sat on the third floor closed-in patio area. It overlooked the neighborhood. There were heaters in the patio area which was perfect since it was chilly outside. This is definitely the perfect vibe for a girl's Sunday brunch. The service was mediocre. The waitress barely checked on our table after we ordered our food. I had to ask twice for a cup of hot tea. However, the other staff that refilled our water glasses and took our dirty plates were phenomenal! The food was pretty good. I got the cheese omelet. The omelet was very oily and had ricotta in it. I'm not a fan of ricotta, so it wasn't that good to me. I tried a piece of the French toast. The apple and cinnamon flavor of the French toast was good. It was definitely more of a desert. read more

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Nina May took me on a rollercoaster that I didn't want to be on.. Came here for dinner, all I can say is AVOID the Chef's tasting like the plague... it's not worth, it's not worth it, It's not worth it. We ordered the chef's tasting at first, and the first two dishes were so bad we told them to stop the tasting and ordered our entrees a la carte. The first two dishes didn't make any sense. The first was a play on a Caesar salad but they just threw a bunch of veggies together and it was too bitter... there was wayy too much radicchio on dish. We didn't finish it. The second dish was a crudo, but again with random ingredients that didn't go well together. I was confused. The a la carte items were the dishes that saved this place from being 2 stars. The Grilled Matheson Oysters were great, I highly suggest getting that as an appetizer. Then we got the dry aged beef short ribs which was overpriced but tasted good. If you're not super hungry you could split this between two people. The service was terribly slow. We had an early dinner so there was only one of table that was seated on the first floor by us and it took an arm and a leg to wave our waiter down, and she was standing less than 10 ft away. And we had to wave her down every. single. time... cocktails were meh, their espresso martini was terrible, it tasted like I was drinking cheap vodka straight. However, the red wine the staff suggested tasted great. All in all, I wouldn't come back here for dinner. The menu is minimal so there's not much else I'd want to try. The reviews seem better for brunch so that might be your best bet when coming here. read more

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Ragz, Lily and I grabbed brunch at their patio today. The weather was gorgeous and I think their patio is rather cute with the pink umbrellas, rattan furniture and green bushes. Our server was very sweet throughout the experience. We started with the French toast and the leek/ cheese croquettes. The French toast was delish, especially with the maple syrup and the citrus butter. I didn't care much for the stewed peaches - the texture and taste were both not great. If I get this dish again, I'll likely ask for the peaches on the side or not at all. Fair warning - the toast itself ate more like pancake than French toast, especially with the texture. The leek croquettes were tasty - crispy on the outside and yummy gooey inside. I tasted cheese more than the leek and the sauce it came with was pretty good too. For the main course, Ragz enjoyed his medium well burger and the fries were pretty good, but could be crispier. I did like that the fries were not super thick. Portion side was substantial. I had the corn agnolotti and I wanted to love this dish honestly. The overall flavor profile was okay, too much butter in my opinion (never thought I'd utter those words, haha). The texture of the pasta itself was off - it was too thick, not cooked enough and the corn filling inside felt gritty. I enjoyed the mushrooms on the pasta. Lily opted for the carrot risotto. The roasted carrots were a nice touch, but the hazelnut chilli crisp felt out of place on the dish tbh. She did not finish her food, primarily because the rice was not all cooked through. There were almost crunchy pieces in between which was off putting. I felt that the flavor profile of the dish was very one note too. Overall, for the price we paid for brunch (over $60 per person from their ala carte menu), I expected food that knocked my socks off! It's was a pleasant experience overall, but the food left a lot to be desired tbh. Likely not coming back again. read more

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This review is closer to 3.5 stars than 3! Ok so I came back here in 2025 and the follow up was a little less impressive than my first time around. I, of course did the chefs table again with the multiple rounds of food, because it's such a delight having several rounds of food lol. The price obviously has increased, but the options haven't changed much and the taste was cool whereas the first time I had this (pre-pandemic) I was blown away! The service was friendly but pretty slow, we did go on a Saturday night so maybe that's why. The interior is still welcoming and clean! read more

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We had a fabulous date night last Friday at Nina May! We have been wanting to check it out, and we were pleasantly surprised with everything we ordered, the atmosphere and the service. We sat upstairs on the covered rooftop. There are multiple indoor and outdoor seating options. We started with the Parker house rolls, fritters & croquettes. The Parker house rolls are a must order and I loved the fritters! The Cacio e Pepe was surprisingly my favorite thing we ordered along with the incredible moon valley roasted carrots. Highly recommend ordering the carrots & a pasta dish. For drinks, we ordered the espresso martini and cucumber basil smash - loved both! The carrot cake was absolutely AMAZING! Save room for dessert! So glad this spot is in our neighborhood, apparently they rotate the menu with hyper local and seasonal ingredients, so there's always something new to try. read more

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What a wonderful brunch. Took a friend to brunch, we decided to go with the Chefs Choice, although Stephanie, our waitress, went through the entire menu and made some incredible recommendations. 4 dishes over 2 courses shared between 2 people. Heirloom tomato salad: wow. Just wow. A summery blast of perfectly ripe and juicy tomatoes, the smoked tofu and sumac onions offered the right balance of cream and acidity, and the rice crisp was a perfect vessel for dipping. Yukon gold hashbrown with smoked salmon: this was my second favorite dish of the afternoon, the hashbrown was epic, the accompaniments to the smoked salmon really highlighted the flavor. Short rib Benedict: this was good, but honestly I'd rather have this course separate, it was served with the final dish, and it felt a little rushed, especially considering how sensitive Benedicts are to temperature in my opinion. But delicious. Lemon thyme chicken: this was the star, absolutely perfectly cooked chicken, the dumplings were better than my mother's, just perfect. The ambiance was perfect, light and eclectic while keeping a professional service. Stephanie was absolutely incredible, one of the best servers I've ever had in my life. Will definitely be back. read more

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We were showering our bride this past weekend and I was invited here for brunch. We sat outside at a round table under a fan, covered. It wasn't too hot despite the heat warnings in the city that weekend. Our waitress was incredibly attentive, kind, and a complete joy during our entire service--such that when she recognized that we were celebrating, she surprised us with espresso martini shots. We all opted to pick the chefs choice option. Hands down, the best decision we likely made ALL day (bc we had a timeeeeee all weekend and this place was our top food and dining experience without a doubt). I had an espresso martini for my brunch booze. As a go to these days, I was completely satisfied. The body of this martini wasn't as full as I like, but I'm such a fan either way--I like baileys in mine! As for the food. Where to start? The Chesapeake croquettes were so good. Crunchy, crispy exterior with a gooey warm center. The tomato salad was so refreshing, each bite, the acidity, the flavors. A great helping. The hash brown squares were so so good, crispy on the outside, savory warm center. An amazing compliment to the smoked salmon. Eating both items as a single bite is a must. The eggs Benedict was so good too! I was getting quite full by the time I reached this bite. Even though I'm not a Benny girl, this was solid. Who doesn't love bacon either? A star, was the chicken. The chefs put their FOOT in the chicken jus (I almost called it gravy lol). The chicken was moist, seasoned exceptionally. I didn't have any food left from my plate to take home. This place deserves repeat visits, like monthly if not every two weeks (bc you seen this economy?!). I cant wait to try dinner! read more

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Nina May is always absolutely fantastic! The chef's table is always great to share with friends. If you're not feeling too hungry, their other dishes are great. My friends and I went there for brunch and we all enjoyed our food! The ambiance is beautiful though we were close to where they drop the dishes off. I highly suggest this place to anyone looking for good food! read more

Nina May - Heirloom tomato salad - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I worked with Nina May to organize a small birthday party for my friend and they were very professional, accommodating, and communicative. We had a lovely space upstairs near their bay window. The restaurant is beautiful, loved the decor. We had the choice between plated dinner and family style. I definitely recommend family style as you get to sample multiple dishes. I enjoyed EVERYTHING. Favorites were the clams, green goddess salad. I'll be back! read more

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Went here for brunch on Mother's day and was a great experience. Food was very good, service was good, and roof top seating area is a great place to eat on a beautiful day. We ordered off their shared plates section of their menu. We got the French Toast, Croquettes, and the Agnolotti. The French toast has a nice sweet and brown sugar taste. Its not over sweet and has a nice savory flavor as well. The Croquettes were very have a great crunchy shell. The fish on the inside is nice and tender with good seasoning. The dish is elevated with the sauce which is habanero, lemon, and dill. Agnolotti was the star it was perfectly done pasta along with a creamy and savory sauce that was perfectly balanced with the heat of the Szechuan peppercorns balanced with ricotta and parmesion. Overall 3 shared dishes was perfect for two people. Will definitely go back read more

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A great experience all around! The Chef's choice menu was delicious and the staff were extremely friendly & attentive. Would definitely recommend read more

Ate here Sunday night for restaurant week. The good: Food was generally tasty. The three of us ate the $55 RW menu, which featured: - baked oysters served with kimchi and lettuce wraps. Odd, but also oddly good! I was surprised how much I liked the oyster/kimchi combo. - mozzarella and roasted pumpkin was quite delicious. Came with bread, but the bread didn't come with the best part of the meal (you had to ask)): the churned butter. You have to order it. So good. - Cod Loin was perfectly fried and steaming hot inside, and the tartar sauce accompanying it was delicious. - Cacio e pepe agnolotti was interesting but surprisingly bland (too much cacio, not enough pepe) and it was served lukewarm, which was disappointing. - lemon + thyme toasted chicken was decently flavored but overcooked and dry. Otherwise not terribly memorable. - carrot cake was delicious - moist and flavorful. The bad: - Service started off slow, and disappeared at key times through the evening, even though it was by no means busy in the restaurant. The ugly: - Another DC restaurant still charging a 3% "service fee" 5 years after COVID. Shameful. As with the other restaurants I've visited still fleecing their customers in this way, I will not return to Nina May due to this policy. Treat your customers with respect and tell them the true price of your menu IN the menu. If it's worth it, they'll pay (see, for example Steven Starr's many wonderful establishments that don't play these games). Restaurant was pretty empty and the ambiance was quiet, allowing for easy conversation. read more

Spectacular food and service every time! Staff seem passionate about the dishes. Always delighted after visiting! read more

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Really enjoyed Nina May! Came for Restaurant Week and did the Chef's Choice menu -- loved being able to try a mix of dishes. Service was awesome, super friendly and attentive. Only downside was a couple dishes were a bit salty for me, but overall everything was really tasty and I'd definitely come back. read more

On a recent trip to DC my friend and I wanted to have brunch and he chose this place. We were able to get a reservation for brunch on a lovely Saturday afternoon. The menu is a variety of new Americana brunch items, and while most of the menu is nothing that's going to surprise you in terms of creativity, the dishes are all very well executed. I had the butternut squash taleggio agnolotti and it was outstanding. The flavors were sweet and savory and the ingredients had a lovely freshness to them that made me want more. We were all pretty full (there were three of us), but we also shared a slice of carrot cake at the end which was also superb. The atmosphere feels is light and airy, and there is also an outside seating area If I remember correctly (but it was too cold for us that day). The service was decent but could have been more attentive overall - however nothing that detracted from the brunch. I will definitely be back next time I am in DC. read more

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Had the most outstanding birthday dinner here! Right from the second we walked in the staff was warm and hospitable and allowed us to move outside to sit in the beautiful patio section so we could take photos. We tried four different cocktails and they were all excellent! Some standouts were the cucumber basil smash and espresso martini also tried the beet cocktail which was fun but you really need to love beets. The standout here was the food. We ordered the chefs table and were allowed to sub the shrimp for one of the appetizers and were even given bonus dessert because our kind server noticed that I was torn between the two choices. I even loved the cucumber radish salad with a little chili crunch kick and usually salad is one of the least memorable parts of a meal. Overall I had an awesome experience at Nina may and look forward to coming back again soon! read more

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Overall mediocre and at a high price point ($20 a dish minimum). We came here for a Saturday brunch and were seated outside in the heat. Their patio has a small overhead fan but it really didn't do much. We ordered the French Toast which was okay? I thought the carmelized edge and lemon flavor was interesting. The burger was the most disappointing. I ordered it medium and it came out well-done. Nothing really stood out about the burger otherwise and although the fries portion is generous, the fries are really thin so you end up just eating a bunch of grease. If you ever had In-N-Out fries, it's similar. The Agnolotti was probably the best thing we ordered. Good texture on the pasta. Overall though not worth the cost IMO read more

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We visited for brunch and went with the Chef's Choice menu. We were so glad we did! Every dish was fresh and flavorful! Lots of seating areas and I loved the vibe of the restaurant! read more

This place was wonderful. We dined there on vacation for Thanksgiving, and had an amazing time. As a Covid conscious family, we were looking for a place with outdoor dining and good food for the holiday. Nina May delivered! We were seated in a covered patio outside, and the server made sure we stayed warm with teas, coffees, and extra heaters. I greatly appreciated how comfortable they made it. The food was also delicious. I'd recommend the risotto. read more

Incredible food and service! The chefs menu with the wine pairing is a great deal. You get so much food and wine for a very reasonable price. All the food was amazing. The HH is great! read more

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Nina May never disappoints! Food, service and atmosphere is AMAZING. Service is 10/10! Highly recommended. read more

Fantastic brunch! The pear and sourdough toast was a particular standout--absolutely delicious! Also thoroughly enjoyed the fingerling sweet potatoes in a hot honey sauce (that actually was not particularly hot) and the apple and gem lettuce salad. Fun cocktail options as well in a cute setting with wonderful service! read more

Nina May - Apple and gem lettuce salad - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I chose to come here for brunch to celebrate my birthday, and I am so happy I did! The restaurant is so cute... we visited in October and the entrance was decorated with fall-inspired flowers and pumpkins. They also change the menu with food/drinks inspired by the season. During brunch, they offer a chef's choice tasting menu which is great for a large group, but they also let you order items from this menu a la carte. Since it was my birthday, our waiter brought mini chocolate mousses for everyone at the table, which was the cherry on top! read more

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I had gone to this restaurant for a brunch and given the time in the morning it was still pretty cold as the outdoor covered seating area had not been warmed yet. The staff was nice enough to give us some blankets as the heat kicked in. Service was prompt and food came out relatively quickly. As for the food- we opted for the hassle back sweet potatoes and french toast. The potatoes had a crunch to them from the toasted buckwheat which I actually didn't really like too much but the potatoes themselves were soft and buttery. The french toast was solid but nothing entirely out of the ordinary. That being said, it was an overall good meal and I left full and content. read more

This is definitely one of my favorite spots for an upscale brunch in Washington DC! The atmosphere is really pleasant, as is the staff, and the food menu has a narrow but delicious selection of options. Both times I've visited, we've gotten the chefs menu and although it hadn't changed since I visited several months ago, it was still delicious! The star of the meal , though, was their French toast! It was a last minute addition to our table, but it more than satisfied our sweet tooth! Their cocktails were great as well! It's definitely on the pricier side of brunch spots in the city, but in my opinion, it is worth every penny! read more

Always a top-tier experience at Nina May. The food and service are consistently excellent. I've hosted several birthday parties and even a wedding brunch here--each time, the staff went above and beyond to create an elegant and memorable event. Their chef's choice menu is both a great deal and a delight every time. Add to that the beautiful ambiance, and it's one of my favorite spots in the city. read more

Dropped in for a work event. Service was prompt; the ambiance was excellent. No food yet; but did start with the non alcoholic espresso martini. read more

Nina May - 0 percent espresso martini - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great brunch! We had been meaning to try Nina May for sometime after seeing it on a number of good DC brunch spot lists. I'm happy to report it lived up to it. Highly recommend doing the Chefs Choice. All of the dishes were great, but the standout was definitely the Duck. And at $35 a person and decent size plates your money goes a long way! We are looking forward to trying their dinner menu next! read more

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