Amazing experience! The food was delicious, the service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Everything was well prepared and served promptly. I would definitely recommend this place and look forward to visiting again. read more

Full body red wine at bar hit the spot. I loved the crabcake appetizer; lots of crab, gently prepared- a favorite. The blackberry-Avacado salad was fresh and delicious. And the pièce de résistance was a med rare filet with chimichurri sauce and sautéed spinach. Service at bar (Alex) was great and the decor was befitting it's history. read more

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Food was really good- got a handful of appt for the table. Got clam chowder and crab cake as my entree, it was delicious. Crab cake was legit crab not all breading. Desserts were great too, specifically peanut butter pie. Ambiance is awesome too.. very DC. Minus one star because our server, Remy, was awful. Really rude, inattentive, and we were charged for items that were never delivered. I have ate here prior and service was never a issue before read more

Great place , our waiter was amazing. The atmosphere was really awesome. Old nostalgic Washington DC restaurant! We had crab dip , Fish and Chips , And the carrot cake was incredible! Very lovely place. read more

So excited to have finally tried out the oldest saloon in DC. Thankfully after a long and very hot day this restaurant was able to squeeze us in earlier than our expected reservation. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and quick. The decor is old world style with velour and dark oak with gas lamps scattered throughout. I had to try the oysters Rockefeller which was just top notch, while my dear friend ordered the oysters deviled eggs. Once our main entrees came they enjoyed their steak frites with a delicious garlic sauce and the cheeseburger. Though my shrimp spaghettini was so light and filling it was perfect on a hot day. Definitely would recommend coming back. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Bar seating - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Visiting DC, we stopped at Old Ebbitt Grill after a morning at the Smithsonian. Credit where it's due. The building is beautiful, the location is unbeatable, the martinis were excellent, the oysters were fresh, and our waitress was genuinely fun. That said, if you're assigned Table #1, ask for another table. Old Ebbitt has all the makings of a classic DC lunch. Historic wood paneling, political power-lunch energy, and a location steps from the White House. Instead, we found ourselves in what we immediately nicknamed "the Applebee's Room." That's the dining area off to the right. Table #1 (which I heard the hostess whisper to the host that sat us) sits directly next to the only accessible restroom on the main floor and directly beneath the hindquarters of a large dog sculpture. During lunch I found myself making repeated eye contact with a wooden dog's undercarriage while eating oysters. The wall behind our table is literally beside the restroom and features a painting titled "When Nature Calls." I wish I were making that up. Throughout lunch there was a steady parade of restroom traffic, plus a nearby service station door that was slammed often enough to create a light PTSD. The main dining room of Old Ebbitt feels appears to be what you'd expect at an iconic restaurant everyone talks about. Which makes Table #1 in the Applebees annex feel less like a table and more like a practical joke. The food was fine. The martinis were cold. One member of our party even enjoyed an oyster after being assured they were among the "safest oysters" in Washington, DC. As West Coasters, that was a memorable sales pitch. Would I come back? Maybe. Would I sit at Table #1 again? Only if the dog sculpture personally apologized. And management comped my meal. read more

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7/6/2026 - made reservations for 3 at 8:30pm to grab appetizers and desserts. Well worth it. Seated immediately. We ordered a 8oz clam chowder which was excellent, 2 orders of oyster Rockefeller which comes in sets of 4 each, a blueberry cobbler and 2 Flourless Truffle Cakes. OMG everything was excellent. The desserts were banging. Get the chocolate flourless for sure and the cobbler! 5 stars for service and the food was excellent. See photos. About $85 total. Included is the dessert menu. read more

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It's a trap. (Star Wars). Good food but get a resy, always packed. The bar looked fun and there is more than one. Calamari was average. I got the Ruben and it was perfectly toasted and plenty of corned beef. Side salad Cesar was really well done. We also got the turkey sandwich which was amazing as well. Little bit of a wait and a little bit of cost, but if you only go there once it's worth it. read more

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Established in 1856, Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, D.C.'s oldest saloon. It is bigger than it looks with 4 bars, one in each corner. Food is served until 1 AM. The sauce on the steak was delicious. Those were the best carrots I've had. Great service. Located just steps from The White House, the iconic American restaurant is famous for its raw bar, fresh oysters, and classic pub fare. read more

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After a long day walking around the National Mall, we popped into Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner and absolutely loved the experience. We didn't have reservations, so the wait for 2 around 5:30 on a Wednesday night was about an hour, but we decided to grab seats at the bar instead and got full service almost immediately. Huge shoutout to Matt, our bartender, who was incredibly friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Service overall was exceptional from start to finish. We started with the fried calamari and beet salad, which were both excellent and a perfect way to kick off the meal. For entrees, we had the steak frites and the New York strip with potatoes au gratin, plus a couple draft beers to wash it all down. Everything was fantastic, and the portion sizes were very generous. The building itself is part of the experience. It feels historic and full of character, with multiple dining rooms and four different bars that each had their own slightly different ambiance while still keeping that classic historic pub vibe. For a full dinner with appetizers, drinks, and entrees, expect around $100 per person -- but honestly, the quality, atmosphere, and service made it feel well worth it. Definitely a spot I'd come back to anytime I'm in DC. read more

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Came here for the first time for dinner with a friend. We went to one of the bars and ordered a half dozen oysters, the Salmon Nicoise Salad, and the Salmon Faroe. What's Hot - Quality. Delicious. My friend and I split a half dozen oysters. The sauces that accompany the oysters have a nice flavor and are not too salty. My salmon nicoise salad was delightful and not heavy. The salmon was was either grilled or pan fried. It was still slightly raw in the center, but I would rather that than being too dry. All the vegetables of my salad were fresh. The green beans and potatoes were slightly cooked and still tender. There was a good amount of green beans, golden potatoes, kalamata olives, tomatoes, and an egg. My friend enjoyed her salmon, as well, which was served over a bed of lentils. - Menu. Good variety. There's something for everyone, even possibly vegans. There's a good amount of veggies, meats, cheeses, and seafood options. - Location. It's close to a couple of metro stations and is centrally located in D.C. - Service. Polite and reliable. My friend and I were there on a weeknight and it was incredibly busy. However, we did not wait too long for each dish to be served. They appeared to have a good amount of staff, who are attentive, especially when it's packed. - Price. My friend and I split the check, so I paid for half the oysters and my nicoise salad, which came out approximately $45 (not including tip). For fresh seafood and the quality of the food, it's good value for money. What's Not - Acoustics. When it's busy, this place is packed, which means noise carries very easily. It's not easy to have a conversation, even when sitting next to someone. - Service. Given the popularity of the restaurant, I highly recommend making a reservation. If you don't have one, depending on the day and time you go, you'll more than likely wait a fairy reasonable time and/or be relegated to the bar. My friend and I did not make a reservation. When I asked the hostess how long the wait would be for 2 people, she responded 45 minutes. Again, be prepared. - Layout. To be aware, there are 3 bars and it's not obvious. I was not made aware of this until I spoke to the hostess. The hostess informed me there are 3 bars- one in the back, one on the left, and one on the right. Their main seating area does not appear to be large and is pretty tight. Final Answer Willing to come back, but not a first choice and would make a reservation. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What an amazing gem in the heart of DC. I hadn't been here in over 25 years, so I was thrilled to get a few days of exploring DC and a chance to pop in for lunch. I easily made a lunch reservation for 1:00 PM on a Tuesday and was thankful for that reservation when I showed up and the place was packed. The day was dreary and pouring rain, but the energy and vibe inside was cheery and bright. I was seated at a single table and promptly greeted by Jack S. He brought some positive energy and jokes which was nice as I sat rain drenched after walking 3 miles. I very much enjoyed and devoured the Chicken and Grain Salad. It was large and full of tasty things. I thought there was no way I was going to finish it, but it was just THAT good - I couldn't stop. Then Jack talked up the Bourbon-Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and you know I could not say no to that. Scrumptious! OEG is not inexpensive but you get what you pay for here. Delicious food, plentiful portions, incredibly beautiful decor and excellent service. read more

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Went there for a quick lunch before catching the Amtrak. The restaurant, opened in 1850s was said to be the oldest dining salon in Washington DC. The vibe confirms this: huge dining rooms, huge bar areas, gorgeous decors, and numerous newspapers etc. about the events that happened there. Of course, the restaurant was packed with tourists, but due to its size it was not difficult to reserve a seat just 2 days before. For food I got the Hot Roast Beef sandwich no sauce and sub side with asparagus. The dish came out slowly perhaps because there were too many people (? So I had to devour it in just 10min... The sandwich was stuffed with tons of roast beef, as well as some melted Gruyère cheese and cherry pepper relish. The beef was kind of dry to me; I wish I could get a side of jus to dip in. The relish was fantastic: spicy and a bit sweet and sour. I also liked the asparagus which was topped with parmesan and pine nuts. The staff acted warm and welcoming but I felt that they were mostly just reciting the scripts. Still, because of its history, food and location, I recommend you to try this restaurant when visiting DC! read more

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One of the most reviewed restaurant in DC so I make sure to stopped by during my trip. No reservation but we were seated right away. There's a lot of tables and always a line but I would say it moves fast. Kind of dark inside. The booth has some super worn seats. I got the scallops with grits and unfortunately the grit kind of ruin the whole thing. It was really raw for my liking and the vegetables were so random ... nothing tied the dish together. Scallops were good but that's about it... the steak frites looked and tasted a lot better. Kind of expensive so make sure you don't make the mistake like I did. read more

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Such a classic Washingtonian institution! I have coming here since I was a child and love everything on the menu! We were lucky enough to walk in on a Friday night at 6 PM and we're sat immediately at a two top and have the sweetest waitress! She took such amazing care of us, even hearing my dad say in passing happy birthday to me, and brought out a dessert! The ambiance in old ebbits is just that of a different time, when drinking a martini at lunch and writing a Pulitzer Prize winning article at the same time was a thing! It's so classic read more

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Can you believe that they actually give you this as a order of chicken wing? Either the wings need to be bigger or the bowl needs to be smaller. This is an embarrassment. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Chicken wings (half order...but still......) - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

After some evening events, I stopped into Old Ebbitt Grill for a final cocktail and some bar bites. The large pretzel was executed perfectly--crunchy on the outside, soft in the middle, with a balanced amount of salt that wasn't overbearing. The cheese sauce was great for dipping, and the other side sauce had a nice little kick to it. I also ordered the house chili, which was solid and well-done, though nothing extraordinary. Having worked in the building for over a decade, I wanted to leave a reflection on a place I've frequented for so long. The staff here is consistently fantastic, managing the heavy crowds with ease. It remains one of those classic, high-energy spots in DC that carries a distinct "must-see" reputation. That said, I truly miss the old side takeout kitchen that used to operate in the atrium, serving breakfast and lunch to the building's workforce. It was a fantastic setup with daily chef-designed menus, and it was always busy, so it is a shame it didn't last financially. Even with that change, the main bar area remains a reliable, historic staple for a late-night drink and a bite. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Clyde's Chili - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Yeah, definitely one of those places to come to if in town. I am skipping straight to dessert and saying right now the carrot cake is top two in my book. I am watering at the mouth thinking about it. Texture, flavor, all of it, absolutely delicious. Lets get back to everything else now. Was a 45-60 minute wait so we went to the back bar which was recommended to us. Beautiful bar with artwork, and I liked the low light setting. Host said expect a text when table is ready. We enjoyed ourselves in the mean time not really looking at the time, but, it did feel strange that we were not called on after an hour. Did see some people being seated that were in the lobby with us so I was expecting soon. I eventually got up and asked and my guess is they took the wrong number down and or forgot about us. But they quickly sat us down and gave us a wonderful server, forgot the gentleman's name but he my only complaint was you could tell when he went out for a cigarette break. The food. - Chowder had amazing flavor. I like it thicker so I added the table bread to it which made it. - Pork chop was spot on. Nice thick cut and the char on top. Perfectly cooked. Leftovers made for a great morning snack before traveling home. - Side of Mac & Cheese, yum. Cheesy just as it should be. But yeah, definitely make a trip here if you can. read more

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I have no clue what the hype is about everything was fine just mediocre. We had a reservation for a weekday lunch after looking at the museums. The host asked "Whose Birthday are we celebrating?" Only for our server to never inquire about it later nor did they do anything for dessert nor were we offered if we wanted to order dessert. Okay so we sit down and there's a hair on the plate at the table. We informed our server and all interactions with her she seemed annoyed and bothered. Never apologized nor said anything about the hair on the plate. The food, bland. We got the calamari which was pretty good found it unique to also have fried peppers in there. I got the Walters Favorite which is a hot pastrami sandwich. It was missing mustard or something to balance out the flavor profile it was just lackluster. Ruben was okay, and the horseradish mayo on the roast beef was too strong. The best thing was probably the oysters (not pictured). We were there for happy hour and got a discount. NOTE: their only happy hour offering is oysters, no drinks. The amount of times we had to flag our waitress down for everything was so frustrating. It was not that busy and Id see her chatting with a coworker on the side. We had to ask for EVERYTHING all while enduring her attitude or feeling like Im bothering her. When we closed out never told us once goodbye or have a good day. Old Ebbitt, please do the following: - Train your staff to prioritize customer service - Hire people that are friendly instead of cold - Season your food - Ensure cleanliness of the facility (forgot to mention, the bathroom had all kinds of paper on the ground!) read more

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This is by far one of my favorite restaurants, and honestly, the crab cakes never disappoint. The food is consistently on point, which is why I was so disappointed by the experience with the hosting staff during my recent visit. I arrived around 3:55 p.m. for a 4:00 p.m. reservation for three. Two out of the three people in my party were already there. When I approached the hostess stand, the hostess told me she couldn't find my reservation. I then showed her my confirmation text from the day before, and she responded by asking if I had the email confirmation. Unfortunately, the cell service there was terrible, so I couldn't even access my email. She then held up a sign and asked if I needed the WiFi. As I was attempting to connect to it, she suddenly asked again for the reservation name and then immediately said, "Oh, I found it." No apology was offered at all. She then informed me that we would be seated once the rest of our party arrived. After waiting about 10 minutes and watching several other guests being seated, I asked again when we would be taken to our table. A different hostess repeated that they were waiting for the rest of the party. What made this frustrating was that during my visit, I clearly saw multiple groups being seated without their full party present. I've also dined at Old Ebbitt several times before and have personally been seated without my entire party. Once the rest of my party arrived, the young man escorting us to our table asked how my day was going. I responded honestly and said not too well because of the service experience, but there was really no response or acknowledgment, which made the question feel more scripted than sincere. I do want to say that Charlie, our waiter, was amazing. He was personable, attentive, and absolutely on it throughout the meal. I still love Old Ebbitt Grill for the food and atmosphere, but I strongly suggest additional customer service training for the hostess staff. A friend of mine was considering having her wedding reception there, and I had previously raved about the restaurant. After this experience, I would honestly tell her to reconsider. read more

As a solo diner visiting DC, I could not have picked a better spot than Old Ebbitt Grill. The atmosphere alone is worth the visit. The inside is huge, full of history, and has that classic old Washington charm that makes the experience feel special from the moment you walk in. I ordered the Reuben and it was absolutely delicious- perfectly balanced, flavorful, and comforting without feeling too heavy. The whipped potatoes were buttery and light, not overly salted and had great flavor! I also tried the oysters, which were incredibly fresh, clean tasting, and high quality with absolutely no fishy flavor. What really elevated the experience was the service. The staff was attentive, welcoming, and made dining solo feel comfortable and enjoyable. You can tell this place has mastered hospitality over the years. Awesome spot all around and easily one of my favorite dining experiences in DC. Highly recommend whether you're with a group or dining alone! read more

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Atmosphere was great! Oldest saloon in DC. We love this place! Kids entrees were really good. My kids are picky and they were very happy read more

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Great spot, walkable from The White House. Lovely decor, kind of old school in a good way. Very family friendly! They have a reasonable kids menu with lots of options and it comes with a drink. The service was excellent - very patient with kids. I highly recommend making a reservation - it was very busy when we went for lunch. If you can't get a res, try to snag a seat at the bar. Grab a delicious drink while you're there. read more

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We arrived here without reservations on a weeknight and got on the waiting list. I've dined here in the past and enjoyed my dining experience here at the oldest restaurant in Washington D.C. The interior decor is beautiful and nostalgic with antiques; paintings and the bar have various taxidermy animal heads that the were caught by a by President Teddy Roosevelt. Our party dined on oysters, lump crab cake, scallops, pork chop and I went for the boneless ribeye. All the food was delicious, and we had a happy ending with the bourbon chocolate chip bread pudding. Service is professional and impressive. Overall, a great dining experience again, and I highly recommend the Old Ebbitt Grill. read more

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A DC local took my family and I here to celebrate my husbands graduation. it was the hottest day of the year with a heat index of triple digits and after waiting an hour in the hot sun, we opted to come here for a celebratory lunch, ice cold water, and air conditioning. I am not much of a drinker but the occasion called for a bevvy and the bloody maryland sounded delicious. It was MASSIVE and had a nice kick. we ordered calamari to start and my husband and I split the calamary fra diablo and steak sandwich with frites. Everything was delicious. Fo dessert we shared the creme brulee which was the perfect ending to a great lunch. the decor is classy and very "old DC" but felt very cosy - it was the perfect spot for our late lunch. The service was wonderful as well- our server took great care of us and even ensured we got extra ice in our water to help us hydrate and cool off after experiencing the heat. read more

What can be said that hasn't already been said about the Old Ebbitt Grill in Washington DC? The menu is diverse, unique and it's the place to see and be seen for the lunch hour or for dinner. Here's a pro tip, one that a lot of people know. But if you've never been... Lean in... The grill has four different bars with instant seating service in the event. You have a one or two hour wait, just say it it's worth it and it's good. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Jumbo lump crab cake, burger, and fries - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Old Abbott Grill is a very classy establishment. with a long history in the Washington DC area. The inside is visually very appealing with wood heavy accents everywhere and beautifully decorated, which adds so much to the overall dining experience. The centrally located bar is absolutely stunning and oozes class adding to the overall ambience of this establishment. For our first meal here, which was during their brunch hour on a Sunday, we had crab cakes, shrimp, and their bacon cheeseburger. As appetizers we also got their zucchini chips and their large pretzel with cheese. All the food was well made and very tasty where our favorite was the crabcakes. Relative to the staff they were friendly, polite, and very professional about their business. Clearly an emphasis for this business was placed on having a first class wait staff, and it showed! Overall, we really enjoyed our meal here albeit at a higher cost than you would pay at many other establishments. The proximity to the White House, the history of the facility and quality of the food comes at a cost, but it was worth it in our opinion as this is a dinner we will remember for quite some time. Also, we had added satisfaction of bringing our grandchildren here where this was definitely viewed as a special occasion for them that grandma and grandpa arranged. Nice! read more

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It was a nice experience. Customer service was great. Get a reservation unless you plan to sit at the bar. It stays pretty busy. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Menu - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We sat at the bar since it was an hour wait on a Friday night. Great service from our bartender. Helpful with the menu. Crab cakes are a winner as always. The Ribeye could use a little more flavor. I didn't care too much for their sauce. Overall, it was a great experience! read more

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I finally made it over to Old Ebbitt Grill thanks to Jo Y. This grill is pegged the oldest saloon visited by half a dozen past presidents. I came here during the happiest hours. They have two happy hours. One from 3pm to 5pm and the other from 11pm-1am. If you like oysters , you should get a dozen or two during that time. Service was good considering how busy they were. read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Oysters - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Old Ebbitt Grill was an awesome experience. The place has a really cool, historic vibe that feels like it hasn't changed in over 100 years--in the best way possible. You can tell there's a lot of character and history in every detail. The menu had a great variety of options, and everything we tried was solid and well-prepared. The food quality was definitely on par with what you'd expect from a spot like this. On top of that, the cocktails were excellent--perfectly balanced and made exactly right. Overall, it's a great mix of atmosphere, quality food, and well-made drinks. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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Steeped in history and packed with sightseers anxious to get a glimpse of Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trophies over the bar, DC's Old Ebbitt Grill still delivers an excellent meal with service to match. The place is dark and old school, no check that, the place is more closely aligned to the old school they tore down to build the old school and is a welcome refuge from the bureaucrat-friendly Paris Baguette and Pret A Manger infestation all over DC. A must visit on any trip to the Nation's Capitol, Teddy's waiting behind the bar, elephant gun in hand. Five easy stars. read more

We get the hype for this place. The food was delicious and the wait was even better. It's such a cool historical place to dine. We stayed around the corner from this restaurant. Despite how busy it was we had a very short wait time. My daughter and I both had the filet and it was delicious. My husband had a burger and he really liked it. Our flight ended leaving earlier so we informed our server and she was very accommodating. read more

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Totally fine experience. Dining room is lively at lunch but the building is big enough that most people don't have to wait longer than 30 minutes. I tried the scallop gnocchi dish, which was good with a simple, clean taste. Not the most flavorful dish but fine enough. They do not celebrate birthdays, which is unfortunate. But overall, an enjoyable time. read more

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This resturant was beautiful and packed even at 8 pm! It was a 90 min wait and worth it. We got the following: -Chowder 5/5: Savory, full of clams and great flavor. -Cheeseburger 3/5: Needed more seasoning on the patty itself but overall good burger. -Oysters Rockefeller 5/5: BOMB DOT COM! -Raw Oysters 5/5: We got pink moon and fortune oysters. The winner was pink moon! Clean, crisp and sweet! -Broccolini 4/5: Beautiful char. Just needed a pinch of salt! -Meatloaf 2/5: I did not like the flavor of this meatloaf. Wouldn't recommend. Only got it because others dining in ordered. We will definitely come back! read more

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During a recent trip to DC, the Mr. and I celebrated my birthday at Old Ebbitt Grill. Ambiance, service, and food were all top notch. Jack our server, made excellent recommendations. We decided to order the pork chop, double crab cakes, and creamed spinach. We shared everything. While everything was scrumptious my favorite was the crab cake. For dessert we had the chocolate chip bread pudding. It was decadent and large enough to share. In a city full of amazing restaurants, Old Ebbitt Grill is a shining star. I'm already planning my return! read more

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Amazing food! Omg! The steak was so juicy and the compound better made it a 10/10. Everything was amazing! read more

Old Ebbitt Grill - Ribeye - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was not expecting such a positive experience so late at night. So many people had raved about this restaurant and I was quite impressed. While waiting on my partner I was able to engage in casual conversations with the employees in the greeting area. They were very welcoming. Our server was very prompt and nice despite it being later in the night. My partner and I ordered different items to share. Everything was served fresh and was delicious. read more

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We had a nice lunch. It was fun to be in a "classic" DC atmosphere. It was clear they were putting the tourists all together by the back bar and the business lunches up front! Recommend the scallops and the 5 cheese macaroni side. read more

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Great spot for a quick beer! Sat at one of the bars because the wait for a table was incredibly long so make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. The bartenders were very friendly and attentive. The artwork is amazing and the vibes are fun! I wasn't fully hungry but I still ordered food to get the full experience. The steak was perfectly cooked and paid very well with the chimichurri sauce. However, the Mac and cheese was very disappointing.. super bland and lacked flavor, I don't recommend ordering it. read more

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