***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.

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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.

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