Restaurants near National Museum of African American History and Culture

This was a tremendous meal, and a can't-miss restaurant when visiting Washington D.C. It was my wife and I, and we shared six plates: hummus, falafel, rice pilaf/barley, fried eggplant, brussels sprouts and (essentially) french fries. We were uncomfortably full when leaving, and this ran us a whopping $72 dollars before tip. Obviously if we had gotten drinks or wine, the price would have gone up considerably, but I can't imagine this kind of quality food in a metro area for $36/person in 2024. Plus endless homemade pita that was a cross between pita and naan was provided -- crazy delicious. The french fries had a house-made mushroom salt with a yogurt dipping sauce. The serving size on those were substantial, but basically they were just outstanding french fries. In terms of going for authentic Mediterranean food, we could have swapped this out for something else, but that was probably more our fault than theirs just having something a little more neutral on the menu for less-adventurous eaters. The other five items were all significantly above average, with my favorite being the sprouts and my wife favoring the barley/pilaf. Also, the speed with which we got through our meal was noteworthy -- one hour as they rotated through plates one at a time. It was a well-oiled machine.

A tapas experience. You can order from two tasting menus or a la carte. Whichever you choose it will be a delightful experience. Each dish is so composed that it is excellent in ingredients and size. The 2 tasting menus are 12 courses each arranged in groups according to types. If you have food allergies or extreme dislikes, the server will take note and the chef will adjust or substitute to make sure your dining experience is one of joy. The wine list is carefully curated and a bit on the rather expensive side. You can order by the glass or by the bottle and wine flights are available with the tasting menus. Jose Andres has done it again!

Just coming back from Paris, my husband and I decided we would organize his birthday dinner here as a loving nod to a wonderful experience abroad. The food was delicious and so very well presented. The wine was impeccable and cocktails were perfect. The ambiance, especially around the holidays, is unmatched. I will say it was surprisingly busy for a late evening dinner on a Tuesday and I think that made wait times for items longer than ideal. That being said, it was a top notch experience and we will be back!

Super Restaraunt. Very good atmosphere, friendly wait staff, very good price point. Reservations are highly recommended as this is a local go-to. There are four bars in the restaurant, one in each corner. So, while this is a white linen dining experience, you must not think of it as posh or fine dining given the tavern extraordinaire atmosphere. It obviously has the DC charm of “Cheers” sans Norm and Sam, with a kicked up level regarding the dining. Very tasty meal, great selection of cuisine. I highly recommend OEG.

The red wine poached pear is unparalleled. Lovely atmosphere during the holidays as well.