Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington’s oldest saloon. It was founded in 1856 and now operates at 675 15th Street NW, one block from the White House. Owned by Clyde’s Restaurant Group, it draws lobbyists, staffers, and tourists for oysters, classic American plates, and a Victorian dining room that feels lifted from the Gilded Age (Wikipedia).
Inside, you’ll find dark mahogany bars, beveled mirrors, gaslight-style fixtures, and mounted game trophies that local lore links to Theodore Roosevelt. The raw bar is the main draw. It shucks a rotating list of East Coast and Pacific oysters, and the oyster happy hour is a local institution. The kitchen also turns out crab cakes, burgers, and seasonal plates, and breakfast and weekend brunch fill the room early (Old Ebbitt Grill Menus).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The restaurant opens at 8am on weekdays and 9am on weekends, and it closes at 2am every day. The kitchen stops serving at 1am (Old Ebbitt Grill). Weekday lunch and weekend brunch get crowded, especially during cherry blossom season and summer, so book ahead on OpenTable. For a calmer visit, aim for a late-afternoon bar seat or come after 10pm, when the oyster crowd thins out. The nearest Metro stops are Metro Center and McPherson Square, and the National Mall and Treasury Building are a short walk away. To confirm holiday hours, call 202.347.4800.
