Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer

4.7 (48)

$50 and over

French American

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002-7003

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2 people

3 Jul 2025

July 2025

19:00

Booked 31 times today

About this restaurant

Hot spot
Lively
Great for creative cocktails

Keith McNally brings Minetta Tavern to Washington DC

MINETTA TAVERN ORIGINALLY OPENED IN 1937
Named after the Minetta Brook — which ran southwest from 23rd Street to the Hudson River — the Tavern was frequented by various layabouts and hangers-on including Ernest Hemingway, Ezra Pound, Eugene O'Neill, E. E. Cummings, Dylan Thomas, and Joe Gould, as well as by various writers, poets, and pugilists.

Since its renovation, Minetta Tavern has best been described as "Parisian steakhouse meets classic New York City tavern."

We hope — and believe — that's a somewhat accurate description of the place.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
French American
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30–15:00 Lunch Fri 11:30–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:30 Sun 17:00–22:30
Phone number
(202) 235-0444
Website
https://www.minettataverndc.com/
Dress code
Business Casual

Location
1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002-7003
Area
NoMa
Cross Street
The entrance is on Morse Alley. Right off Neal Place NE onto Morse Alley.
Parking details
None

What 48 people are saying

Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.8Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

District of Columbia
Best Ambience

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Minetta Tavern DC offers a vibrant NYC vibe with "delicious food, fabulous service, and wonderful experience." Guests rave about the "authentic NYC atmosphere" and "incredible service." However, some noted slow seating and noise levels. Lucy Mercer boasts a "beautiful bar and decor," though some felt service didn't match the luxury price.

48 Reviews

M
Marie VIP
Washington, D.C. Area52 reviews
2.0
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
My table and I were disappointed in the 6 dishes we ordered and shared. We only really enjoyed one, the steak frites. For the cost, we would’ve expected more flavorful dishes. Our server was kind and playful. The sound reverb made it incredibly hard to hear each other. I would go back to have drinks at the bar but I wouldn’t go back for a meal, sadly.
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G
Greg VIP
New York City31 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Fun atmosphere, decor looks like it has been there forever giving it a great vibe. Food was outstanding and cocktails even better. An old school, yet modern dining venue. Loved it!
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R
Robert VIP
Washington, D.C. Area33 reviews
5.0
Dined on 22 June 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
They did a great job with the decor, food was very good service a little slow, kitchen was I think short staffed.
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N
Nick
Unspecified1 review
5.0
Dined on 18 June 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing. Just amazing dinner. Must go. Better than pastis or Le dip.
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v
vanessa
Orlando / Central Florida East1 review
2.0
Dined on 12 June 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
I had ribeye and it was so tough that I had to constantly spit out pieces that I couldn’t chew up. My husband had aged strip and it was just okay. Apps and dessert were good but I could not get past my horribly chewy ribeye.
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f
frank VIP
New York City27 reviews
5.0
Dined on 10 June 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place; on par with the one in NY. Service is spot on
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L
Lexa
Washington, D.C. Area1 review
5.0
Dined on 9 June 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Blew. Me. Away. Lived up to expectations and beyond.
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A
Ashley
Washington, D.C. Area4 reviews
3.0
Dined on 4 June 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
Everything started out really great. Our waiter was nice. When I asked about the temperature of my burger and getting it cooked a little longer, he got an attitude. By the end of the meal, he was being really passive aggressive. When we contemplated dessert, he didn’t even wait for us to answer and just handed us the check. Food was good, but that experience was really disappointing.
1 person found this helpful
D
Dean
New York City3 reviews
2.0
Dined on 1 June 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Rough night made better by the incredible, out of this world level of service. The service alone makes me want to return and give Minetta Tavern another chance - it has 5 star potential and I almost want to say I came on a unusually bad night. Unfortunately upon my visit, it took 1.5-2 hours after our 8:30pm reservation to get seated. The steak ordered had to be sent back to cook further (even though I would've accepted it and moved on, the waitress who was exceptional wouldn't allow it). With that said, the host for the night and the waitress went above and beyond to make up where the broader restaurant lacked. I think they have some growing pains to get through and figure it out but given the highest caliber of service that the waitress and host showed during our visit, I will without a doubt return to give the restaurant another chance.
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L
Leigh VIP
Washington, D.C. Area38 reviews
5.0
Dined on 31 May 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved DC Minetta Tavern! Fans of the New York one, we didn’t know if the vibe and ambience could be duplicated. We were wrong. It was authentic nyc with delicious food, fabulous service and wonderful experience. The crab croquettes were melt in your mouth delicious and steak frites was perfection. Can’t wait to return.
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FAQs

Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer is rated 4.7 stars by 48 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

Booked 31 times today

Google Map for Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer

1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002-7003

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
The entrance is on Morse Alley. Right off Neal Place NE onto Morse Alley.
Area
NoMa
Hours of Operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30–15:00 Lunch Fri 11:30–15:00 Dinner Mon–Thu 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–23:30 Sun 17:00–22:30
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
French American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None

Website
https://www.minettataverndc.com/
Phone number
(202) 235-0444

Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer

Make a booking

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 48 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Minetta Tavern DC & Lucy Mercer restaurant rated?

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Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

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