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  • 1789 Restaurant

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Reserve at 1789 Restaurant

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1789 Restaurant
1789 Restaurant

1789 Restaurant Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.1789restaurant.com
  • Phone: (202) 965-1789
  • Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday: 6:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday: 6:00pm - 11:00pm, Saturday: 5:30pm - 11:00, Sunday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm

    Open for Sunday Brunch on Easter and Mother's Day.

    Closed Christmas Day and July 4.
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: American, Seafood, Steak
  • Executive Chef: Samuel Kim
  • Dress Code: Jacket Preferred
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Beer, Farm to Table, Fireplace, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Wine
  • Affiliations: Dine Originals - Member Restaurants

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Prospect & 36th Streets
  • Parking: Valet
  • Parking Details: Complimentary Valet Parking
A word from 1789 Restaurant
Sitting on a quiet residential street in Georgetown, 1789 Restaurant has the charm of a historic country inn. Chef Samuel Kim’s contemporary seasonal menu blends the flavors of fresh regional ingredients into unique and delicious summer dishes. A modern twist on classic desserts by Pastry Chef Ryan… Westover.


2014 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence; Zagat Top Ratings in Food, Service, Decor, and Most Popular; DiRona Award Winner; 3 Stars from 2014 Washingtonian magazine.
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Service
Diner Reviews
  • "We had a wonderful dinner at the 1789. The service was wonderful, and the server were knowledgeable about the food and how it was prepared. They were very helpful and welcoming. The food is really good, and the ambience beyond expectations. We had the scallops as an opener, and the Hangar steak, and the Duck as entrees. Everything was elicious."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "I had a lovely time at 1789. My boyfriend and I have never been to this restaurant, and needless to say it's one of our favorite restaurants now. The staff was great, very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere and the interior design were beautiful."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "The 2 best things about this restaurant are that it is not noisy and they have complimentary valet parking. The food is good, if not fabulous. Chef is into foams and powders. They are fun to try."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "​1789 Restaurant created a special atmosphere for my birthday. When we entered 1789 we shed our cares at the door. It is an old tavern type building with different rooms. I could picture it at Christmas. Jacket was required, although most men took their jackets off at the table(?)and there were 2 guys who were dressed very casually, no jackets at all. Being unsure, I wore a dress which added to my feeling elegantly formal. Wait service was impeccable. The menu was basic, but limited. My husband ordered the steak special and I ordered red snapper. They almost ruined the snapper by pouring consomme on it - why? We spent hours there. Felt like a date night, and we are married 40 years."
    Dined on 7/6/2014
  • "We have been devoted fans of the 1789 for years -- our "Go To Place" for special occasions. But I'm not sure we will return. The descriptions on the menu are pretentious -- almost silly -- and the menu was truly limited. The meals' ingredients are "in" but nothing special or particularly delectable. My husband had a ham dinner that was almost awful. (Giant Food has better ham.) My Rockfish was very good but I've had similarly good Rockfish at restaurants for much less. The tidbits offered by the chef as special treats don't compensate for unexceptional dinners. Our suggestion: expand the menu; simplify the dinners and ingredients; lose the pretentious descriptions. If you don't we won't be willing to pay the price."
    Dined on 7/5/2014
  • "1789 never disappoints. From the classy decor, to the formal yet friendly service, and the outstanding quality and creativity of their food, it remains one of the better restaurants in DC that consistently maintains its standards."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Staff is outstanding...so attentive and accommodating. Food is creative, inventive and expertly prepared. We were given a souvenir menu that was printed in house congratulating us on or 25th wedding anniversary, along with a card signed by the staff. Weakest part were the desserts, but the French pressed coffee and Madeira made up for it."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "All the food that was brought was fresh, and delicious. The scallops were crisp and tender, the ravioli was flavorful, the rockfish was cooked to perfection. Also, the summer special made everything that much more reasonable."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "It was really very good. I went with my parents and my dad kept saying "This might be the best meal I've ever had." And the food was worth the praise. I would definitely recommend it."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "We celebrated our 35th Anniversary here with delightful food, attentive service, and a relaxed setting that allowed us to converse about important things."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "The food and service are outstanding. The Summer menu, a fixed price 3-course meal from the regular menu is a great value. The day boat scallop appetizer was a beautiful and delicious beginning. The quality of food and service continue to be excellent. Free valet parking in Georgetown is a real plus."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "We had a great dinner for our nine year anniversary. The service was great (I could have tolerated a little bit more personality from our waiter) but overall a great night out. I found the price to be quite reasonable considering the quality of the food. They had a somewhat limited wine by the glass menu, but extensive list by the bottle."
    Dined on 6/29/2014
  • "The waiter was excellent (bald French man, thick accent) and joked with us many times, and offered good menu advice. The food itself was delicious, and the environment was dark and wooden."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "One of the last "true" white tablecloth restaurants. Wonderful food, excellent quality--just as trendy as any of the new wonders but without the too cool for school attitude."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "We went to 1789 after years (decades actually) of wanting to try it after being undergrads at Georgetown many years ago. It was worth the wait! The food and ambience were great, and the service and attention were truly fantastic. I made a brief comment on OpenTable about it being our anniversary, and by the time we arrived everyone at 1789 knew it--from our first greeting by the hostess, to the excellent waiter Robert, to the maitre'd, to the menus printed with Happy Anniversary, to the complimentary dessert cookies, and even more. It would have been a memorable experience even if the food was wasn't good, but it was very good--especially the gnocchi with snails, the scallops, and the lamb. We definitely won't wait so long before we return!"
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "food was amazing, but it is the service that sets this place apart; highly recommend for a special occasion; at in one of the small, intimate dining rooms on the second floor"
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "They were very sweet to recognize my wife's birthday with a special menu, which they rolled up into a scroll and tied with gold ribbon as a souvenir at the end of the night."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "My husband and I had a great time at 1789. We indicated that it was our anniversary on our reservation and as a result they had menus that stated happy anniversary on them. They also have us a card signed by the staff. It was a nice gesture. We were seated in a quiet little area where we were truly able to enjoy the food and each other. The fois gras was great and the duck breast was cooked perfectly. The waitress was friendly and attentive to our needs. We would go back for sure."
    Dined on 6/23/2014
  • "We ate at 1789 for my birthday and it was delicious! The food was great! We started with salad, the squid ink pasta, and duck strudel. Although my husband was hesitant with the strudel, he decided to trust the chef and just loved it! The staff was also very attentive and really took the time to explain the menu. And the menu was so creative! For mains we have the lamb, pork, and leek fritters (I'm vegetarian). The staff also found out it was my birthday and gave me a menu with the date printed on it and a birthday card. How lovely?! I would definitely recommend going for a special occasion. Yum!"
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "1789 is a Georgetown institution that deserves its venerated status. The ambiance is refined yet comfortable and the service is excellent. The scallop and duck appetizers as well as the rockfish and cod entrees were perfectly prepared (the menu changes daily). Complimentary valet parking is a huge plus in this neighborhood."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "New chef is updating menu. The new duck is quite nice if only a bit overpriced, but the flavor was on. Rabbit a little overcooked, but the complex flavor from the varied preparations mostly made up for it. Well done."
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "When we reserved we indicated it was our wedding anniversary and throughout the evening we were congratulated by staff, given special menus, and a final card from staff and management. The service was outstanding and the food was excellent. Definitely a "special occasion" place!"
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "One of my absolute favorite restaurants. Always a great meal and impeccable service."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "It all started when my fiancé and I were brought a small piece of steak tar-tar, followed by three different types of bread accompanied by oil/butter of all sorts of flavor. We split a vegetable medley, which was fantastic. I had the leg of lamb and she had the steak. I would go back again!"
    Dined on 6/16/2014
  • "Creative menu, beautifully presented, delicious! Set in old Georgetown tavern which my parents took me to when I was growing up in DC over 40 years ago. It was great then and is great now. Very upscale and yet charming. Highly recommend. This restaurant has everything: great food, great service, great ambiance!"
    Dined on 6/16/2014
  • "Located in the richly historic Georgetown University neighborhood, 1789 is old meets new. While you may feel like you've just stepped back in time with cozy dining rooms and candle lit tables, the menu offers a diverse modern menu with a fresh take on old favorites. Bon appetite!"
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "Food and service were excellent, but it is a very old crowd. We took our hip 20 something kids with us and it was a bit of a turn off for them, even though the food was excellent. Deserts were a bit disappointing."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "Our 25th wedding anniversary dinner was made elegant at 1789. Incredibly professional, personable, and attentive service, which was matched only by the quality of the food and wine. Very special evening with all the right touches. Thank you very, very much."
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "I had heard that the new chef was making big changes since the last star Chef left, but we found little of that evidenced. The dining room still feels like it is part of another period of time. The meal was very pleasant if somewhat rushed. While indeed cucumber soup was a bit of a surprise, having been billed as gazpacho, brussel sprout salad was a pleasant find. Little else seemed changed. The main courses of short rib dumplings were tasty but not very "toothsome" with little texture. I find myself wondering where to find some ruffage. We will try it again."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "Manassas room is great setting for intimate dinner. Terrific service. Second time here. A favorite."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "We love the thought of 1789, it is the reason we keep coming back. The food is not imaginative and the wait staff seems uncomfortable and not at all in sync, Very polite but not efficient or seemingly trained in service."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • " Having taken my girlfriend to this restaurant for our anniversary, I could not have picked a more romantic, sophisticated restaurant. The service was incredible and the food was.... well picture your favorite meal ever. Yes, that one specifically. Now consider if it was possible to have a better meal. Welcome to this restaurant and the wonderful creations of the chefs here!"
    Dined on 6/13/2014
  • "Food and service top notch. One of DC's best! The gnocchetti and the rabbit are amazing..."
    Dined on 6/9/2014
  • "I know there are dozens of worthwhile restaurants in DC but I can't help myself...I just keep going back to 1789."
    Dined on 6/8/2014
  • "Came for an engagement dinner and the food, staff, and overall experience was spot on. Can not wait to return. You will not be disappointed. "
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "What a wonderful experience! Service was first rate!! Food equally to the task. Salads popped with freshness. Breads were much better than ordinary. Toothfish was unusual (maybe a bit pricey) and amazingly flavorful. Skate was almost decadent! Pot de Creme was near or at the top of many I have tried. The strawberry cake was only slightly below par - perhaps another selection would have hit the spot a bit better. All in we had a wonderful time in a wonderful place. I sort of expected tired and traditional, but the food and service were every bit as relevant today as 50-60 years ago when they opened. Great evening - we would definitely return!"
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "We love this restaurant, dinner was very delicisous but this is the second year in a row that dessert was disappointing. The desserts from years ago were to die for, now they're just ok. Service, as always, was outstanding."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Tables were so cramped it ruined a great meal. The couple next to us actually began speaking perfect English to the staff but changed to another language after we were sat. Intimacy was completely lacking. The food was quite good; staff was attentive."
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "I love 1789 because it bridges, as it always has, old and new. The menu is current, served on interesting tableware, but you are still welcomed to the table with a formal seating with Limoge (which is whisked away as apps arrive). The sense of history and place is outstanding, even as the menu captures current trends. Lest those who are more comfortable with old traditions fear the new, old standbys like rack of lamb remain on the menu beside artful multi-tiered contemporary concepts. The breads and desserts are made in a separate kitchen attached to the restaurant and are always fresh, flavorful and intriguing. It is probably the reason it also remains a go-to place for Washington illuminati when entertaining (e.g. Obama took Merkel there)"
    Dined on 6/2/2014
  • "We celebrated our 30th Anniversary by having dinner at the 1789- the location of our wedding luncheon reception. The staff greeted us with congratulations as we entered. Our menus were specially printed to commemorate our anniversary. The service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive. The food was delicious and the portions were perfect. Our children were charmed with the food and service as well as the special attention for their parent's anniversary which included complimentary champagne and a card. Thank you, 1789!"
    Dined on 6/2/2014
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Washington, D.C. Area Winners
  • American
  • Special Occasion
  • District of Columbia Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Ambiance
  • Best Service
  • American
  • Romantic
  • Special Occasion
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Plan your next party here
Location and atmosphere make 1789 Restaurant the perfect choice for private events. It has all the charm of an elegant … country inn, and is situated right in the heart of Georgetown.

Private rooms are available for luncheons, dinners, weddings, business meetings and cocktail receptions. Continued
Great for events up to: 56
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