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Lafayette Restaurant, Washington, DC

Lafayette Restaurant

4.8
4.8
1603 Reviews
$31 to $50
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 28 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Good for business meals
Washington’s destination for power dining, the Lafayette Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With large windows opening onto Lafayette Park and the White House, this sun-lit dining room is one of the most elegant settings in the capital and is certain to complement any dining experience.



Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Continental
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–11:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:00 pm Afternoon Tea Sun 3:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 638-2570
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Nicolas Legret
  • Catering
    Private Dining available for groups of up to 16 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining is available in our Lafayette Restaurant. Views of Lafayette Park and exquisite cuisine and service guaranteed!
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown
  • Cross Street
    H Street
  • Parking details
    There is a parking fee of $12.00 via hotel valet parking.
  • Public transit
    McPherson Square, Farragut West, Farragut North
  • Entertainment
    Our pianist Tom Vogt is playing every Monday – Saturday evening and for Sunday Brunch
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,603 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    Best Ambience

  • Washington, D.C. Area

    American

  • District of Columbia

    Best Overall

  • District of Columbia

    Best Service

  • District of Columbia

    Best Ambience

  • District of Columbia

    American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Lafayette Restaurant offers an "elegant atmosphere" with "exceptional service" and "delicious food," making it a top choice for special occasions. Guests rave about the "beautiful dining room" and "superb piano accompanist," Tom Vogt. Despite occasional mishaps, the attentive staff ensures a memorable dining experience in Washington, D.C.

1,603 Reviews
  1. Paul

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Dropped nearly $500 on dinner for two. Horrible service and screaming kids. Wait staff appeared discombobulated and hotel manager could not have cared less. When I relayed our poor experience, he said, and I quote, we will try to do better next time. There won't be a next time.

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  2. Meredith

    Washington DC

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As always, wonerful food and superb, flawless service in a magnificent setting. From the gracious parking valet to the delectable, complimentary birthday dessert, it was a memorable experience.

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  3. Sonia

    New York City

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 7, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Vastly and impressively DISAPPOINTED!! Filet Sole, as the most expensive entre on the menu ($95) was Red Lobster grade! The only bread items were raisin bread or sourdough! When I requested plain French bread, and they brought Texas toast...and it even was a poor imitation of that! I requested souffle while placing the initial order, knowing it should take time to make, and the waiter only found out at the end of our meal, that the chef could not make it! Undoubtedly, the waiter completely forgot to order it, and then requested the chef too late. The waiter barely understood English such that he would get 50% of our requests correct! For instance, we requested a specific sequence of our order, and, while he outwardly indicated that he understood, he got it all wrong and brought all the dishes out at once. The wine never got poured on time, such that I finally just grabbed the bottle from the bucket and served ourselves. There were many more little failures in food and service that even Waffle House staff would not commit, and which are unforgivable in a restaurant that used to be first class dining experience. This restaurant needs a complete shakedown, starting with the chef! Ah, for the days 10+ years ago when Charu still was there. I fear the management might be powerless to make the needed changes, either due to finances or due to the employees being able to run the show? So sorry we even bothered to even make advanced reservations for a purely devastating experience. We will never come back, unless there are well-published reviews by established gourmands

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  4. ray

    New York City

    49 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    49 reviews

    Dined on November 1, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We booked it for the ambience and the music. Pianist showed up but didn’t play. Sorely disappointed. Staff were perfect and food was as good and overvalued.

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  5. S

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were celebrating two birthdays, including a milestone one. We were treated to a beautiful ambiance, top notch service and good food that was presented well. We appreciated the birthday cakes and champagne to mark the special occasions. Would certainly be back!

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  6. Zachary

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was an excellent experience. If you need a fun birthday dinner venue, The Lafayette will exceed your eclectic and exquisite needs and expectations.

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  7. Clare

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 19, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and a live pianist. A great night overall.

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  8. Karen

    Atlanta Metro

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on October 12, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Quiet elegant atmosphere, Amish chicken and ribeye for two are dishes that I can highly recommend. Perfect for a date night or a place to propose with a ring.

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  9. Marija

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Steak was excellent, but the soup surprisingly didn’t taste as good as the steak. Service was good. I recommend it for lunch.

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  10. Ailsa

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 21, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really enjoyed the food, service, and piano. A delightful occasion!

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FAQs

Lafayette Restaurant is rated 4.8 stars by 1603 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 p.m.
Booked 28 times today
Google Map for Lafayette Restaurant

800 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    H Street
  • Neighbourhood
    Downtown
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Mon–Fri 6:30 am–11:00 am Sat, Sun 7:00 am–11:00 am Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–2:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 11:30 am–2:00 pm Afternoon Tea Sun 3:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Continental
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    There is a parking fee of $12.00 via hotel valet parking.
  • Public transit
    McPherson Square, Farragut West, Farragut North
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Nicolas Legret
  • Entertainment
    Our pianist Tom Vogt is playing every Monday – Saturday evening and for Sunday Brunch
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (202) 638-2570
  • Catering
    Private Dining available for groups of up to 16 guests.
  • Private party facilities
    Private Dining is available in our Lafayette Restaurant. Views of Lafayette Park and exquisite cuisine and service guaranteed!
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  • Terms of Use
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  • Cookie Preferences
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