Reviewing Old Ebbitt Grill: An elevated American saloon experience in the heart of Washington D.C.

Old Ebbitt Grill is a special place. Located just one block from the White House, it is a mix of old and new, of local and visitor, of elegance and casual charm. On any given day, you might find tourists in t-shirts and shorts dining alongside long-time locals in evening wear, and neither would seem out of place in the dark mahogany and emerald green interior dotted with gold accents. Fancy some oysters and caviar? Old Ebbitt. Craving a classic burger and fries? Old Ebbitt. Their menu runs the gamut from expensive and elaborate to very affordable traditional comfort food. Stepping inside this restaurant feels very much like stepping back in time to the era of the saloon – with waiters in white shirts and red suspenders moving in and out of the many tables in the multiple dining rooms, serving the hundreds of patrons who stop in daily for a drink or a meal at one of the most iconic spots in Washington DC. 

I’ll tell you off the bat that I’m biased because although I’m writing this review now, Old Ebbitt has been my and my husband’s favorite local restaurant since we first visited D.C. on an apartment-hunting trip over twelve years ago. We’ve taken just about every person who has ever visited us to eat here. We’ve dined in their many rooms for all kinds of occasions ourselves – from sipping a Jameson-spiked coffee at the bar after a chilly December 10k race to celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with rounds of oysters and martinis; our go-to spot is always the same. Old Ebbitt was the last dinner we had in the city the night before we moved abroad in 2018 and the first one we had upon our return in 2021. 

On this occasion, my husband and I were dining before a show at a nearby theater. On a Sunday night, as on most nights, the foyer was packed with people waiting to be seated, and guests overflowed into the main bar to wait for a place at this historic spot. With our reservation made weeks prior, we only had to wait a few minutes before we were whisked up a set of stairs to the area known as the “Corner Bar” (each area has its own name and individual atmosphere). According to their website, the Corner Bar is designed to evoke the “spirit of the Chesapeake” and is adorned in much the same way you might think of a hunting lodge, with decoys, paintings of water scenes, and large hunting dog statues in the windows. 

Cocktails hand-crafted – like the Cosmo

Some places just do cocktails well, and Old Ebbitt is one of them. You can expect every drink to be hand-crafted with the timeless care of a professional bartender. Martinis are served ice cold in their shaker, and their inventive and seasonal cocktail menu never disappoints. I decided on a more classic cocktail for this meal and ordered a Cosmopolitan, which arrived in the signature bright pink shade with my preferred vodka as a base. Sweet with just a touch of tangy lime, there is no bitterness or sourness to note – a perfect iteration of a Cosmo.  

Baby Beets and Honeycrisp Apples are the perfect combination

We decided to share their seasonal appetizer – the baby beets and Honeycrisp apples- on the waitress’s recommendation. Upon ordering, the waitress asked if we would like to have the dish pre-split, so it arrived already separated for two, each plated just as beautifully as it would have been for one. The little classy touches like this separate Old Ebbitt’s class from other eateries. 

And, of course, the food itself truly sets it apart. The baby beets and Honeycrisp apple appetizer was divine. A cold dish that beautifully embodies the change from summer to fall, golden and red beets and sweet, bright, crunchy apples were all diced into bite-sized pieces. Set amongst them were sugary-sweet candied walnuts. Drizzled with maple vinaigrette and atop an herby goat cheese spread, the effect was a forkful of sweet, tangy, and creamy flavors all mingling into one. It’s a light and fresh dish that packs a punch of flavor. 

Old Ebbitt’s Mediterranean branzino and a Maine lobster roll

For our main entrees, we both looked to the sea. I ordered the Mediterranean branzino while my husband opted for a Maine lobster roll. The branzino was flavored with za’atar, a savory herb blend, and served plated over chicory and roasted potatoes topped with browned butter. The dish was so delicately seasoned and perfectly prepared that it practically melted in your mouth with each bite. The light white fish had a crispy seasoned skin, which is one of my favorite parts of a branzino, and required no knife to eat as it flaked apart. The brown butter, cooked to a flawless nutty flavor, helped to counteract the normally bitter chicory and enhanced every piece of the meal. This was a dish where I found myself saying “I’m full, but I can’t stop eating this.”

As for the lobster roll, the most impressive thing about it is that the lobster came completely unseasoned and undressed and was still one of the best lobster rolls I’ve ever had. Unquestionably fresh, a squeeze of lemon and a drop of drawn butter made the sweet and succulent lobster meat come alive. And in true Old Ebbitt fashion, the fries served alongside the roll are given just as much care as the rest of the meal. Salty, crunchy, and golden, with a soft and warm center, they’re the addictive and delicious fries you always hope for but only rarely experience.  

Old Ebbitt Final Review

I have never had a bad meal or a bad drink at Old Ebbitt. The food is delicious, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is unlike any other restaurant you’ve experienced. I highly recommend trying their fresh oysters, and they are one of my favorite places to order a killer dirty martini. They also put on a wonderful weekend brunch. Dress up or dress down, but whatever you do – do not try to get in without a reservation (unless you want to wait for an hour or more).