Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide

***Please note that this list of Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the restaurant’s most up-to-date information. This guide was most recently updated as of January 2026.***

If you’ve been to Washington, DC, you likely either dined or passed by the iconic and historic Old Ebbitt Grill. I have a friend from my college years who always ate there whenever her family would visit Washington, DC from North Carolina. That all being said, ever since I knew about how iconic Old Ebbitt Grill is, I have been dying to eat there myself. So, when my best friend Hannah and I happened to walk by it as we were needing lunch and freezing cold via a Washington, DC day, we happened to pop in and enjoy both of our’s first ever meals at this iconic Washington, DC restaurant.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

Find Accommodations in Washington, DC

Old Ebbitt Grill Restaurant Guide

Table of Contents

About

Getting There

Dress Code

Reservations

Menus 

My Experience

About:

SO, what makes Old Ebbitt Grill just so historic?! Old Ebbitt Grill was established in 1856 and is the nation’s capital’s oldest saloon. It is located just steps away from the White House, the Smithsonian museums, the National Mall, and the Washington Monument AND right across the street from the Treasury Building. President McKinley is noted to have lived there during his tenure in Congress. At the same time, Presidents such as Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Andrew Johnson, and Grover Cleveland have all dined and enjoyed the gorgeous bar (which I have dined at on multiple occasions!) for refreshments. When talking with the bartender at Old Ebbitt’s bar, we learned that the animal heads lining the walls of the bar could potentially be from President Theodore Roosevelt’s hunting collection and donated from him and his family back in the day (no fret – they have a license to keep them all on display to this day due to the growing concerns over hunting specific animals). Such fascinating significance surrounding the Old Ebbitt Grill!

Alongside its vast history in the nation’s capital, Old Ebbitt Grill used to be the highest grossing restaurant in the United States. Currently, Old Ebbitt Grill is apart of the notable Washington, DC area restaurant group – Clyde’s Restaurant Group – which also owns The Hamilton, Clyde’s, and 1789 Restaurant. 

Getting There:

Old Ebbitt’s address is: 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

The restaurant’s location is just a couple of blocks away from the historic The Willard Intercontinental Hotel as well as the White House. If you are driving, there are parking garages nearby on both G and F Streets. If you are taking public transportation via Metro, then Old Ebbitt Grill is an easy walk from both Metro Center and McPherson Square stations, which are accessible via the Red, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines (Metro Center), and the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines (McPherson Square). See more on Old Ebbitt Grill’s location here.

Dress Code:

Old Ebbitt Grill’s dress code is casual (as many tourists are stopping in to experience all the magic that it has to offer) yet no tank tops are allowed. Personally, I am ALWAYS one to dress up a little more than the average person (better to be overdressed than underdressed!!). Overall, given its Washington, DC historical significance and fine American cuisine, I would suggest wearing something more dressy than dressed down, however anything but tank tops goes.

Reservations:

Since Old Ebbitt Grill is a well-known and popular Washington, DC restaurant among tourists and locals, alike, it is highly advised to make a reservation in advance. For the popular peak tourist seasons such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival (see my predictions on Peak Bloom here), holidays (including Thanksgiving timeframe-New Years), and Summer, it is advised to make a reservation at least a couple of weeks-a month+ out (I have seen this from my own personal experiences dining at Old Ebbitt, too!). Reservations can be made at OpenTable. 

Menus:

As for the food, Old Ebbitt Grill serves up some American fare in the most fine dining way you could ever imagine. Everything from burgers to sandwiches to seafood and their most notable oysters are to be found on their menus. They serve the following menus during the following hours:

  • Brunch – weekends from 9am until 4pm
  • Breakfast – weekdays from 8am-11am
  • Lunch & dinner – weekdays from 11am-2am & weekends 4pm-2am
  • Alcohol – an extensive wine, beer, and cocktails list

See Old Ebbitt’s Menus here.

Each year, Old Ebbitt has an Oyster Fest that’s a HUGE event each year. I am more than pleased to say that the cost of dining at Old Ebbitt Grill is not as expensive as other Washington, DC area restaurants and is rather pretty fair in terms of fare. 

My Experience:

During my first time dining at Old Ebbitt Grill in November 2022, Hannah and I sat at the bar for brunch, due to us wanting to avoid the waitlist. We had a GREAT time and chatted with others visiting from Texas who had North Carolina connections (like me and Hannah do!). I ordered the brunch trout with potatoes, green beans, and hollandaise sauce and it was THE BEST!!! Hannah ordered the chicken & waffles and LOVED her dish, too. I always order Cabarnet – it is my go-to wine and I ordered it when I went to The Hamilton (its sister restaurant) with my best friend Amanda over the summer and knew it wouldn’t disappoint! Everything on the menu was tempting and the atmosphere was gorgeous – the restaurant is usually bustling with tourists and locals alike – making it a great dining destination for all. Afterwards, Hannah and I took photos in front of the notable Christmas Nutcrackers that deck the halls outside of Old Ebbitt Grill.

Since my first time dining at Old Ebbitt Grill in November 2022, I have dined here on multiple occasions, whether at the bar or within the dining room. I have LOVED my experiences dining at Old Ebbitt! The food has been incredible and I have come back ready to enjoy more. Not only are the waiters and waitresses extremely kind and truly go above and beyond, but the historic charm and lively vibes of the restaurant make it such a unique place like no other to dine at. One of the most unique conversations I have had was with a waitress who said that she LOVES working at Old Ebbitt because she gets the opportunity to work with others from all around the world and learn from their unique perspectives. Truly, I have felt the same with the fellow diners at Old Ebbitt! Indeed, Old Ebbitt Grill has become one of my *very* favorite restaurants.

Wrap-Up:

Old Ebbitt Grill truly holds a special place in my heart. Located in the heart of Washington, DC holding such unique historical significance, Old Ebbitt Grill has seen so many eras of the United States as a place of gathering for all who come – both near and far.

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadee2 Comments

My Experience at Washington, DC Restaurant Week – January 2023

The last time I went to Washington, DC Restaurant Week aka DC Restaurant Week was back in January 2022 and it was very unintentional as it just so happened to coincide when I was meeting some of my best friends Brianna and Brittany for brunch (we went to Farmers Fishers Bakers in Georgetown!). Unfortunately, I missed out on DC Restaurant Week in August 2023, since I had happened to be in Maine and Canada for a much-needed vacation. SO, since I was around this past week, I was able to check out two different restaurants for DC Restaurant Week – January 2023!

DC Restaurant Week lasted from January 16-22, 2023. Participating restaurants on their website could offer brunch, lunch, and dinner with a fixed menu at a fixed price of $35, $45, and $55 for three courses (usually just lunch and dinner). I checked out two restaurants: The Capital Grille (the Fairfax/Fair Lakes location in Virginia!) and Earls (located in Tysons Corner Center in Tysons, Virginia!). Before I get into ALL the details behind my experience at both restaurants, I wanted to make note of the fact that Earls was not participating in DC Restaurant Week, but I wanted to include my experiences here since it was during *yes* DC Restaurant Week. For more information on DC Restaurant Week which will be back for Summer 2023, look no further than here: https://ramw.org/restaurantweek

The Capital Grille:

I went here with my Papa and Aunt Amy, as we do monthly/semi-monthly dinners at local restaurants. Aunt Amy and I decided to treat our very well-deserved Papa to dinner and split the check. The Capital Grille was tough to get a reservation at: I ended up monitoring the DC Restaurant Week site’s participating restaurants like a literal hawk until I saw The Capital Grille get added to the list. And, the moment I saw it on the list, I immediately booked us 3 a reservation (the earliest time we could get in was at 7pm) and well, this was a month in advance too. Tip: SO, moral of the story is to book reservations early for the restaurants you do want to dine at for DC Restaurant Week. Luckily, booking The Capital Grille a month out was well worth it and definitely a great idea. The ambience was amazing and the staff was super friendly ALL around, whether it be the bus boys, waiters, or hostesses.

The food was also amazing, too. The Capital Grille had a fixed 3 course meal for $55/person. The fixed menu also included a choice of 1 of 2 of their signature sides (we ended up ordering 2 more not listed on the fixed menu). They also have an extensive list of cocktails and wines (I tried the Espresso Martini *surprise*). And, well, they also have an incredibly delicious assortment of none other than BREAD (!!!). The fixed menu at The Capital Grille was an amazing deal, as it included their signature filet mignon on its list of entrees which can cost $55+ on its own. On the fixed menu, I got the fields salad as my starter, salmon as my entree, and The Capital Grille’s Signature cheesecake aka my favorite cheesecake ever now (!!!) as my dessert. Papa, Aunt Amy, and I also ordered Brussels sprouts and asparagus a la carte, along with the two sides of mashed potatoes and creamed spinach to share from the fixed Restaurant Week menu.

We had an incredible time at The Capital Grille! The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the service was impeccable. I found the staff whomever they were to be ultra-friendly and truly go above and beyond what I’d expect anywhere else. The Capital Grille is definitely an occasion restaurant for families and lovers, alike, so the staff ensure that everyone feels special when they walk into the room. Along with the main dining area, The Capital Grille has a gorgeous bar that I am definitely interested in checking out sometime. I *for sure* want to come back and dine at The Capital Grille AND enjoy their cheesecake again!

Earls:

After an afternoon at the theatre aka seeing Hairspray at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Virginia (more on that in a future blog post!!), my best friends Brittany and Brianna and their super sweet Mom and I headed for Earls to enjoy a nice dinner together. Earls is a well-known restaurant in Tysons Corner, Virginia. When we got there, it was pretty loud as a group happy hour was right by where we were seated at their gorgeous bar (1/2 in the restaurant!). That all being said, I was a bit apprehensive of the restaurant at first, but didn’t want to let the loudness of those around me affect my views of my time dining at Earls.

As the night progressed and the happy hour attendees flocked to the other bar, my time at Earls truly began to simply blow me away. The menu at Earls is so so so gorgeous, especially with the golden crest on the menu book’s cover (!!!). To start, I tried their strawberry lemonade which was delicious and treated everyone to the chipotle calamari (which included breaded cauliflower and jalapenos, too). And, for my entree I tried one of their salad/grain bowls and added grilled shrimp to it along with their super delicious clam chowder. Personally, the clam chowder and chipotle calamari were my favorites, and I would have easily just ordered those two only if I were to do it all over again (or go back!).

Just like The Capital Grille, the staff at Earls were super kind and truly went above and beyond. Our waitress was super sweet like everyone else along with the manager who was all smiles and came to say hello to every table of folks who were dining tonight. Everyone was so so so kind which made dining at Earls all that more special!

DC Restaurant Week January 2023 was a memorable weekend for the books. I had a blast getting to dine at two incredible Washington, DC area restaurants and look forward to trying some new-to-me places for future DC Restaurant Weeks!!

XOXO – Katie <3

thepinkchickadeeLeave a comment