Old Ebbitt Grill

Pretty much in line with my expectations. Super touristy spot with fair (by no means great) food though somewhat cheaper prices than I imagined since its almost entirely a tourist crowd. I will say though they have some good bread to start for sure.
The 8 oz filet mignon with potatoes and asparagus really wasn’t a bad deal at $ 20, but it was just average. A fine cooked steak but just devoid of seasoning. The sauce was the bright spot of the dish, and it surely could have used more. The sides were similar to the steak, well-​prepared but dull and in need of something extra.

What a great spot! Great location and maybe the perfect place to stop and grab a drink or 5 after a day of taking in all the sights DC has to offer.
We were only in DC for a couple of days and we enjoyed the Old Ebbitt Grill on 3 separate occasions.
We favor sitting at the bar and enjoyed dinner and drinks there on 2 consecutive nights. We were helped both nights by Bhavin who was on top of his game both nights. I appreciate being recognized and great service and Bhavin provided us with both.
After only having a couple of drinks on our first night he immediately recognized us as we walked in the second night and welcomed us back. We had dinner and drinks and everything was superb! Only wish we had room for dessert.
Breakfast was good and our server was friendly and fast. We wanted for nothing.
Great price point, awesome atmosphere and stellar service! Not sure when I’ll be back, but you can bet your sweet a$$ when I return to DC I’ll be heading over to the Old Ebbitt Grill.

A classic, historical restaurant to check out while you’re in DC. However, the food is just mediocre. It’s also the kind of stuffy place where they assume that the girl must have ordered the healthy breakfast/​salad, not the guy. FYI please let your servers know that in this day and age, not all girls are health-​crazed and sometimes we enjoy chicken sandwiches and extra fries.
On the other hand, a great place to go for happy hour. The bar can get a bit loud and crowded but it’s a beautiful restaurant to have a few beers.

Went here for brunch on Saturday and I am so glad we called ahead for seats! It was really busy! As soon as you step foot in this establishment, you can feel the history and the personality of the place and its workers. Our waiter was very knowledgeable on the menu and the drink selections.
I ordered the Strawberry French Toast (with regular sausages on the side) and it was just heaven in my mouth! The presentation of all the dishes served were just beautiful and they also tasted great! My French toast was soft and (surprisingly) not soggy since it was topped with strawberries, a strawberry compote, and honey pecan butter! The sausages were actually a great side to the sweetness of the dish and actually tasted pretty good with the strawberry compote on it as well. Much as I loved my order, it was just a touch too sweet for me.

Success! We secured reservations for 5 on Saturday morning via OpenTable, only 3 days prior. I’ll jump straight to my review since there are 34 819 283 791 other opinions.
Our table:
–BBQ Pork & Mac n Cheese sandwich: decadent and ooey gooey goodness. Incredibly heavy for a brunch meal, but if you’re up for the challenge then go for it
–2 chicken & waffles: the batter was devine, the waffle could have been in the griddle for a few moments longer
–French Dip w/​french fries: insanely delicious auju sauce w/​caramalized onions. French fries were mediocre (too thick and no seasoning)
–Ricotta flatbread: Thick crust with amateur kitchen skills. You could still taste the raw dough uneven rolling between the crust to the center. The mushrooms were still raw when it came, but the ricotta was to die for
–Pork belly tacos: DELICIOUS! Topped with homemade orange sauce. The pork belly was marinated to perfection
Drinks:
–4 bloody maries: pretty damn good
–3 mimosas: average. Concentrated orange juice and flat champagne
Service:
Very iffy. Let me justify. We called 3 hours in advance to let them know we’d be arriving at 1:15pm. They took note and stated they’d be able to accommodate. 3 of us walked in at 1:14pm and checked in. They said they had no recollection of us calling and marked us as «no show» though we made the 15-​minute rule mark. I requested to speak to the reservation host and he too was confused as to why the hostesses were reluctant to seat us.
The hostesses rolled their eyes and gave us a queue buzzer to wait. We sat by the bar for an extra 30 minutes while «the next» table was being cleared.

Brunch here at least once is a must-​anything after that will completely depend on your opinion about old school American eats. Sunday morning, 6 of us ended up here after a late night out celebrating a dear friend and bride to be the night before.
Here is my thought process walking into the restaurant: «Holy cow, that’s a lot of wood paneling. Omg, is that a walrus head on the wall? I wish I didn’t know about the movie „Tusk“ bc that’s now all I am going to think about. Hmmm, this isn’t the type of courtyard I was picturing… omg what is that smell? Pancakes, waffles, heaven? OMG why is it so bright inside?!? I need sunglasses and a nap. MMM this coffee is life. I feel better already.»
Once we were seated in the «courtyard» and given a bit to look over the drink menu, our server came over and introduced herself and then brought all of us coffees, water, and some hair of the dog. She was gone for a long time between trips, so I am glad we over ordered. We split asparagus tempura, Oysters Rockefeller and Fried Rock Shrimp to split and were happy with everything. Although IMHO I would skip the shrimp next time and just get more oysters. This is somewhat odd to me since the best part of my Bloody Maryland was the huge shrimp that came with it. Oh well.
For my main, I got the soft-​shell crab sandwich and loved it. I would order it again in a heartbeat! I didn’t really love my bowl of clam-​chowder I ordered, as I found it to be way more bacon than clam-​but the bride liked it, so I shared with her. I think the table favorite were the Eggs Chesapeake-​as two of the girls (including the bride to be) ordered these and wouldn’t stop raving about them. Although to me, the monster my best friend got was by far the most interesting. She got the BBQ Pork Grilled Cheese, I didn’t think anything of it listening to her order it, but when it came out I was amazed it was a pork BBQ sandwich with macaroni on it! She said it was good, so I will have to take her word for it. My mac and cheese the night before at FF is enough to keep me off the MC bandwagon for the next year or so probably, so I didn’t try it.
Overall we had a good time. Service was SLOW, but our server was amazing, I think they were just super duper busy. The food is good, it’s just not really my style. So even though this may be a one and done for me, I appreciated the experience.

Bottom Line: Historic and classy yet casual and comfortable.
Old Ebbitt Grill prides itself on being the oldest «saloon» in Washington, DC but this historic establishment has more to be proud of than just its 160 years of history. For starters, Old Ebbitt Grill is a large bar and restaurant that seats about 500 guests! Despite being so large, it feels very comfortable and intimate. The décor is classy and the seating is plush, yet the dress code is casual. Even though it’s casual, probably to accommodate DC tourists, you will certainly find people here dressed business casual or business, whether they are taking a power lunch or enjoying date night.
The food here is comforting but not ordinary. I fully enjoyed the calamari, shrimp and grits, peanut butter pie and a cocktail here. The calamari was seasoned perfectly and fried to perfection. The home made peanut butter was generously portioned and tasty but not overly sweet. The cold pie was perfect for a warm summer night. The shrimp and grits, named «Copano Blues Shrimp and Pimento Grits Cake» was the star of the evening. That dish was so delicious and southern, although a bit spicy thanks to the adouille sausage, that I was unintentionally using «ya’ll» by the end of the night. (Or perhaps that was from the vodka tonics?)
Although I went for a Southern inspired dish, much of the cuisine here is inspired by the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, Old Ebbitt Grill is supposed to be known for this oysters but don’t expect to be eating Chesapeake Bay oysters in the spring and summer when they are out of season. Other popular dishes here include the Maryland Crab Cake.
Another great thing about Old Ebbitt Grill is the service. Service here was high class and attentive. I think prices here are very fair for the quality of food and service you get. The only downside is some of the tables are very close to others so you can’t have a private conversation.
As far as parking goes, they do have a valet. Additionally, this is just two blocks from the Metro Center metro station serving the Orange, Blue, Silver and Red lines.
(As Seen on TV: HDNet, «Drinking Made Easy»)

Upon entering it smelled like a men’s locker room/​bathroom. This smell wasn’t throughout but it was there enough to be off putting.
I ordered a drink called «dragon slater.» Do yourself a favor and never get this drink. My fiancé and I both agreed it was the worst drink we’ve ever had. I had 2 sips and sent it back. For a $ 10 drink I expected more.
Our food was pretty good. French dip and BBQ grilled cheese.
It was very busy and noisy. We couldn’t hear /​understand our server.

With over 4,400 reviews how can you not visit the Old Ebbitt when in DC? This place is massive inside but it’s packed! Make reservations a week ahead of time or earlier if you can. We made them a week ahead and only had a few options, but trust me it’s worth it!
Firstly this is the oldest restaurant in the nations Capitol. Just feet away from the White House and across the street from the Treasure Department.
Service was decently paced and food came out in average time. Waiter was attentive and filled up drinks in a normal fashion.
This place gets ⁵⁄₅ for the food. I ordered the clam chowder which was very good. Usually clam chowder lacks clams but this one does not! This creamy soup is a great way to start your meal. My girlfriend ordered the Carbonara Fettuccini. Homemade fettuccini with pieces of thick cut bacon, peas, creamy sauce and a poached egg on top… Awesome! Very fresh al dente pasta and a very good sauce. I ordered the 8 oz Filet Mignon. This might be the best Filet Mignon I’ve ever had. So tender cooked exactly to my liking (medium) and the sauce on top was flavorful but very appropriate. It sat on a asparagus and potatoes. This may have also been the cheapest filet Mignon I’ve ever ordered for $ 19.95.
This place is rich with history, close to the first family, delicious food and all at a reasonable price! Must go!

I felt like I had to come to the Ebbit for breakfast while in DC. Upon looking at the various reviews, I was torn between the French Toast Club and the Eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, the waitress gave me the same «well, that is really good and so is that one». I played it safe and ordered the Eggs Benedict, as it was one of the most reviewed food items.
Overall, the meal was good. Eggs were well poached, potatoes were seasoned exceptionally, however, the hollandaise sauce was a bit bland by my likely. I unfortunately, did not get a refill or water or coffee, but the staff was very kind.

Wow! What a great place. Service, ambiance and food make this a great stop — and super close to the White House.
There was about a 35 minute wait on a Friday afternoon — or you could grab a seat at the bar (full menu) we chose to wait and it was well worth the time.
Started off with one of their specialty gin drinks– super refreshing. Half dozen oysters up next — also amazing. I ordered the jumbo lump crab cake (not on a sandwich– superb) and my bf ordered the swordfish (super juicy and flavorful). We finished off with their strawberry shortcake, with homemade sponge cake, to share. It’s a huge portion — which we thought we wouldn’t finish– but just like everything else here– was too good not to.
Definitely recommend this to anyone in DC– the hype is real and deserved!

Arrived here mid afternoon on Friday after a rainy day visiting the Capital & White House. Shocking this establishment has been around since 1856!
Was fortunate to get a booth as a walk in and started with a bowl of clam chowder and followed with a walrus #4 cold seafood platter that contained a variety of oysters, clams and shrimp. Everything was so fresh tasting and delicious. Service from the waiter was solid.
BTW — be sure to check out their happy hour deals. I would definitely recommend Old Ebbiit Grill while in DC.

It seems as if I’ve only eaten shellfish on my trip back east so I thought a stop at Old Ebbitt Grill would definitely top it all off. My mother used to eat here back in the 70’s and told me it’s, «where she was introduced to oysters» so naturally I had to check it out. It’s a DC institution, ripe with history, and an amazing experience.
We stumbled in around 12pm (on purpose) because we had heard through the grapevine that the «Orca Platter» is half off after 11pm. What is the orca platter you ask? Well, it’s an amazing seafood tower with the following items:
Lobster
Shrimp
Rock Crab Claws
Oysters (2 different varieties)
Littleneck Clams
So, we ordered three of them :)
OH, MY HEAVENS! The seafood was super fresh, the lobster was nicely chilled and the beers were ice cold. This might be my favorite way to eat these days, just a TON of shellfish piled as high as the eye can see. :)
The service was attentive and I’m a sucker for the staff wearing traditional white coats. I felt like I was transported to a time where simplicity reigned supreme, a time where I would have thrived, and a time where democracy was still in it’s infancy. :)

Delicious brunch! Love coming here when I’m in the city. Make sure to make a reservation, because it is PACKED on weekends and people are very pushy about waiting for their name to be called. Delicious bloody Mary’s!
Three stars are because of the slow service (they are very busy), and I find it odd that it’s kept so dark inside. The furniture is antique so it’s not always very comfortable, and tables and very close together. On my last visit I was seated next to a waiter’s station, so staff was grabbing silverware, dumping dirty plates, etc. as I’m trying to at my food.

Pretty much across the street from the White House, classic furnishings, historic vibes… Old Ebbitt Grill is a DC institution for a reason.
Seafood is the star here, and oysters receive top billing. I wasn’t up for slurping some down, though, so I opted for Eggs Chesapeake (eggs benedict with crabcakes) instead, which had some pretty good flavors. The crab in the cake was very prominent, and there wasn’t a whole lot of filler, either — nitpicky thing here, but my Hollandaise started to break just a little after being served.
My biggest gripe with OEG is that service just isn’t where it should be. I came at 2:30pm for a late lunch, and this place was packed to the GILLS with people (y’all better get a reservation before coming here). Our server was stretched too thin and over capacity — I think I interacted with her for less than 5 minutes the entire time I was there, and even the food runners were far and few between.
It’s fairly obvious that OEG depends on fast table turnover, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt that lunch has a different vibe than dinner — I don’t regret eating here, but it wasn’t the most pleasant dining experience I’ve had.

Old Ebbitt Grill.
Wasn’t too into the idea of coming here for lunch. In my mind.: Old= who wants to eat old fooD. Ebbitt= don’t lk rabbit. Grill: what is this like BD Mongolian Grill or sumthin? Have bad associations with that word
Well OEG turned out to be a favorite of politicians and what’s more exciting than eating from the same menu as lobbyists?
The lentil burger and fries were very delicious! However, it was the chocolate chip bread pudding that singlehandedly stole the show.
The waiters are incredibly attentive but I had one menu item mess up which was very clearly his mistake and led to me waiting 15 mins extra and finishing late bc of it!
Petition to change name to Modern Classic Congressperson Saloon
1 compliment= 1 agree

So I came by this place on a recommendation from a friend. Said they have the best burger he’s ever tasted, so I had to give it a shot. I don’t eat meat very often but if I’m cooking for friends or someone suggest something to eat then certainly I’ll give it a try.
The place was packed around 7pm, and thankfully I found a place at one of the four bars in the establishment. During busy hours, it seems you could wait a little while but I would say it is definitely still worth it to give things a try.
Of course, I ordered a burger. A bacon cheeseburger with bleu cheese to be exact. Despite being packed, the food came out fairly quickly. In retrospect I kind of wish I had ordered something else. Not because it was bad, the burger was quite decent. This is more so a whim of mine that I would just want to explore more of their menu. The burger was cooked perfectly based on the level of doneness I had requested. The bacon was nice and crisp. The bun was thin but didn’t fall apart with the meal, and the veggies to accompany were fresh. I should’ve asked for red onions but I didn’t think that far ahead. Hunger had gotten the best of me and I wasn’t thinking straight at the time. It isn’t something I can characterize as great though so I feel somewhat mislead by my friend’s memory of the food.
Everything aside though, the bartender was curt, efficient, and attentive. Great service and attention to the customer even with random people popping in and out on each side to order drinks on a constant and consistent basis. The overall experience was better because of this.
If I came back to the area, I would possibly come back and lean on the seafood side of the menu instead. I didn’t notice much of anything really vegetarian which would probably deter me from going to visit again however. If I wasn’t going by myself, I’m not sure if I would bring a group in since the food in my memory wouldn’t warrant the wait. But, I only ordered a burger so perhaps a solo trip would be warranted sometime in the future to explore other options.

My friend and I came here for brunch on a Sunday. It was extremely packed and were told to wait an hour. And boy was it worth the wait!
The service was really good, waitress was really nice. We both got the Chesapeake eggs Benedict and it was to die for! Definitely the best eggs Benny I’ve ever had! The home fries were really good as well
Highly recommend everyone wait it out. Food is on point.

Not sure why this place is so popular. I found the food average and the atmosphere is really loud.
We waited about an hour before we were seated. The bar was so packed that we didn’t even consider getting drinks while we waited. We ordered the lobster cocktail, roasted half chicken, and the jalapeño burger. The jalapeño burger was by far the best dish. The beef was moist, lean, and cooked perfectly. It comes on a jalapeño cheddar bun (YUM) with pickled tomatoes and jalapenos on top. The jalapenos were super spicy; we even had to pick some out. The chicken was okay. Cooked well but a bit bland. The lobster cocktail was over priced for the quality and quantity. You’re better off ordering oysters (particularly if you are there for happy hour).

Description:
I know that Old Ebbitt Grill is a favorite of many visiting DC. I visit DC often for business trips and each time, I am invited to go there by a business associate. However, I always find it a mystery why it is as popular. It is busy, very touristy, a bit chaotic, and the food is just average. A positive is the décor, and the history behind the restaurant is interesting, however I just find it isn’t enough to keep me wanting to come back for more.
Location:
The restaurant sits on 15^th street across the street from the US Treasury and located very near the White House
Décor:
The décor is old world style and the historic value is maintained. It has a feel of Washington DC during the early years and this implies a special charm to the room.
Menu:
The menu is a good range of standard American fare such as salmon, fish & chips, meatloaf, short ribs, shrimp, crab cakes, etc.

Service:
This is a very busy restaurant and during our service it was obvious that our waitress was overworked. We waited quite a bit for service. The attitude of the host and others seemed a bit off putting as they all seemed stressed.
Atmosphere:
Because of the crowded feeling in the restaurant and the attitude of the staff, the atmosphere felt hectic and did not lend itself to a relaxing or enjoyable dining experience.
Restrooms:
The restrooms were clean and well-​maintained.
Final Thoughts:
If you have never been to the restaurant, it is worth a onetime visit just to see the historic décor and mark it down that you have been there. To be fair, others seem to enjoy the restaurant. For me, I have had several opportunities to try and see if my feelings about the restaurant would change knowing how highly recommended it is. Unfortunately, I always come out thinking that with the wide wonderful choices in DC, I am just mystified why this restaurant is still so popular.

Delicioso y de buen precio. La carne muy buena, el pollo al grill delicioso, los acompañamientos y el puré muy ricos. Los postres también recomendados. Pedimos varios platos y todos muy buenos. Una escogencia segura y buena.

It has great decoration, food is extremely tasty and prices are fine. I recomend it!!!

Nettes Lokal im Stile einer Sportsbar. Das Essen ist gut, die Atmosphäre lässig, das Personal gewohnt freundlich, schnell und professionell.
Obwohl es im Namen «Grill» trägt gab es nur ein Steak auf der Karte, eher Meeresfrüchte und Burger. Diese jedoch sehr gut!
klasse fand ich, dass es «Samuel Adams Lager» gibt!
Auch mit größerer Runde (wir waren mit 20 Personen da), kommt man im vorderen Bereich unter. Hinten ist’s für Gesellschaften recht schön… als wir da waren wurde eine Hochzeit gefeiert! Gute Adresse also, nicht weit vom Weißen Haus entfernt!
Gerne wieder!

Beaucoup de bruit pour rien!
Outré l’attente insupportable aux heures de pointe du souper (18h-​21h), seul le service est acceptable et la carte des uns très abordables.
La cuisine et la carte proposée né sont pas des meilleures… Peut être que si vous aimez les huîtres peut être … Mais pas dans mon cas.
Mon «good burger» était good sans plus… Un gros moyen moins!