People from all over the world flock to DC for its history. They visit the monuments and the memorials, the government buildings, and the cemeteries. But one place that you might not expect history is an incredible restaurant. That’s what you find at the Old Ebbitt Grill, which is known as the oldest saloon in Washington DC. This amazing restaurant has been serving Washingtonians incredible meals for 160 years!

The Old Ebbitt Grill was founded in 1856 by William E. Ebbitt. The legend has it that William Ebbitt opened a boarding house and opened the saloon as part of the house.
Flickr/Bill Walsh
The boarding house was once home to President McKinley when he was a member of Congress. Also, according to legend, Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding visited the Old Ebbitt Saloon for a drink at the bar.
Flickr/Bill Walsh
The Saloon moved several locations but by the 1920s, it had been turned into the Old Ebbitt Grill and was located on F Street.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
In the 1970s, the Old Ebbitt Grill had fallen on hard times. The owners of the Clyde’s Group had just opened the original Clyde’s in Georgetown and ended up purchasing the restaurant for $11,200.
Facebook/Old Ebbitt Grill

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In 1983, the restaurant was moved to 15th Street NW where it has remained.
Yelp/Alex T.
Today the Old Ebbitt is a stunning display of history and gorgeous decor. There are many priceless antiques and memorabilia on display in the restaurant.
Yelp/Remy Nois E.
The animal heads surrounding the bar are rumored to have been bagged by Teddy Roosevelt and the wooden bears were supposedly imported by Alexander Hamilton.
Facebook/Old Ebbitt Grill
The restaurant is worth exploring for its beauty, art, and history. The marble staircase was salvaged from the old National Metropolitan Bank and there are antique chandeliers and fixtures in the Main Dining room.
Yelp/Marry V.
The Old Ebbitt Grill is definitely worth stopping in for to enjoy the incredible menu, relax with a good drink and take in the scenery. It is truly a testament to the ever-changing nature of the city and the resilience of the district.
Yelp/Elina S.

The Old Ebbitt is located at 675 15th Street, NW. They are open from 7:30 am – 1:00 am during the week and 8:30 am to 1:00 am on weekends. The bar remains open until 2 am on weekdays and until 3 am on the weekends.

We recommend the oysters. In fact, we added them to our list of 13 dishes to eat in Washington DC before you die!

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More to Explore

The Best Food In Washington DC

William Suphan | December 30, 2022

What are the staple foods of Washington DC?

The staple foods of Washington DC include:

  • Jumbo slice. Every town has pizza, but Washington DC likes the slices to be huge. Locals stop for a jumbo slice after a night out.
  • G-Man Sub. This sandwich from Mangialardo’s is known all over DC and is made with ham, salami, mortadella, provolone, fontina, and hot peppers.
  • Half Smoke. These chili dogs are all over Washington DC but Ben’s Chili Bowl is known to have the best ones.
  • Ethiopian Food. Washington DC has the largest Ethiopian population outside of Ethiopia itself and locals love their food.

Find out more about the staple foods of Washington DC. 

What are the most famous restaurants in Washington DC?

The most famous restaurants in Washington DC include:

  • Rose’s Luxury. This restaurant always has a long line and doesn’t take reservations. Thor homestyle food is delicious.
  • Ben’s Chili Bowl. This is an iconic Washington DC restaurant with the best half smokes in the city.
  • Old Ebbitt Grill. This is the oldest restaurant in Washington DC and has some of the best food in the city.
  • Graffiato. This restaurant was featured on Top Chef and it serves amazing Italian food that will blow your mind.

Discover more about the most famous restaurants in Washington DC. 

What are the most unique restaurants in Washington DC?

The most unique restaurants in Washington DC include:

  • Ambar. With a mix of Greek, Turkish, Hungarian, and Austrian cuisine, this is the home of Balkan food in DC.
  • CoCo Sala. This is both a restaurant and a bakery and serves some of the best chocolate confections in the city.
  • Minibar. Chef Jose Andres has made this place almost as much of a scientific lab as a restaurant with its creative dishes.
  • H Street Country Club. This place is a mix of Mexican food, skeeball, mini golf, and shuffleboard. Enjoy a margarita while playing games.

Find out more about the most unique restaurants in Washington DC. 

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675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA